2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in California

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Long Beach the best value for a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology in California. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $19,948 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $35,436. That is a strong return on a $19,948 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $10,492. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #4 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $18,834. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $40,677. Set against $18,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

5

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #6 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $19,187. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $40,040. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #7 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $12,500. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $29,258 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $17,417. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,728. That is a strong return on a $17,417 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #9 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,951 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $32,161. That is a strong return on a $19,951 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $18,887. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $25,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

11

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #11 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #12 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.