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

[Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools.
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2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in Michigan
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
For return on investment in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $15,242. 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. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Central Michigan University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $27,857. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Michigan University earned it the #3 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $28,781. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Michigan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $29,318. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.