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2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools
Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for ecology, evolution & systematics biology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $19,844. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $46,846 early in their careers. Set against $15,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $28,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Central Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $22,053. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #8 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $15,854. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #9 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $25,174. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #12 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $29,318. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #13 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Benedictine University landed the #14 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $54,212. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Dayton came in at #15 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $23,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
[Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
