[Evolutionary Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/evolutionary-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for evolutionary biology students.
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Finding the Best Value Evolutionary Biology School for You
The right evolutionary biology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Arizona State University tops our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in evolutionary biology will find it at University Of California Riverside, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $87,188. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for evolutionary biology. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $22,725. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,258. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $76,132 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #7 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Yale University landed the #8 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $58,008. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
George Washington University placed #10 among the best values for evolutionary biology. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $72,959 early in their careers. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Evolutionary Biology. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).