by our College Data Analytics Team
[Evolutionary Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/evolutionary-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong evolutionary biology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for evolutionary biology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in evolutionary biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among evolutionary biology schools in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $142,377. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #2 place for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. 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 $78,660 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #4 place for evolutionary biology. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #5 spot 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. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $58,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
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George Washington University landed the #6 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $72,959. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University landed the #7 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $25,106. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Explore the best-value evolutionary biology schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.