2026 Best Evolutionary Biology Schools

Evolutionary Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their evolutionary biology programs.

College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best evolutionary biology schools.

What’s on this page:

• Degree-Level Rankings
• Best Overall Evolutionary Biology Schools List

Choosing a Great Evolutionary Biology School

The school you choose for evolutionary biology can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Evolutionary Biology Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Evolutionary Biology Rankings by Degree Level

We offer several rankings, including this Best Evolutionary Biology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

Best Schools for Evolutionary Biology in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall evolutionary biology education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Evolutionary Biology

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

74 Evolutionary Biology Degrees Awarded

$87,188 Median Starting Salary

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 74 evolutionary biology degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $87,188. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in evolutionary biology from Harvard University

2

George Washington University
Washington, DC

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

13 Evolutionary Biology Degrees Awarded

$72,959 Median Starting Salary

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in evolutionary biology, ranking #2. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 13 evolutionary biology degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Evolutionary Biology graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $72,959 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. More information about a degree in evolutionary biology from George Washington University

3

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

40 Evolutionary Biology Degrees Awarded

$58,008 Median Starting Salary

A rank of #3 makes Yale University one of the top schools for evolutionary biology. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 evolutionary biology students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $58,008. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. More information about a degree in evolutionary biology from Yale University

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Evolutionary Biology by Region

Explore the best evolutionary biology schools by region.

Evolutionary Biology Related Rankings by Major

Explore other rankings in majors related to Evolutionary Biology. Browse the parent area of study.

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

• 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.