2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Master’s Degree Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

For return on investment in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, no school beat Stanford University this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $16,539. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $150,114. Set against $16,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $50,266. That is a strong return on a $18,834 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $18,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

6

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University placed #6 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $62,981. Set against $15,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

9

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University earned the #9 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $43,888 early in their careers. Set against $24,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.

10

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #10 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

11

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #11 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $142,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #12 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.

13

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez placed #13 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public school located in the city of Mayaguez. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,274. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $8,630. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $32,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $54,076. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

15

University Of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

University Of West Alabama came in at #15 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

16

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware placed #16 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $33,296. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

17

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #17 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $13,426. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $87,746. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

18

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University landed the #18 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $46,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

19

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $65,137. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

20

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. 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.

21

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #21 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

22

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $26,000. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $50,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #23 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $19,918. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.

24

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $31,923. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

25

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #25 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.