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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Master’s Degree Schools

51 Colleges in the United States
3,224 Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Degrees Awarded
$61,685 Avg Early-Career Salary

Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 362 schools to find the best for ecology, evolution & systematics biology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology in the United States

See the highest-ranked ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology

1

No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 70 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $87,746 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at Johns Hopkins University

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for Stanford University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the top schools for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 144 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $150,114. Students borrow a median of $16,672 to complete this degree. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

4

Students looking for a strong ecology, evolution & systematics biology program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 43 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $58,088 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Ohio State University Main Campus

5

The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 34 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent data year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of The University Of Texas Medical Branch earn a median of $79,793 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for The University Of Texas Medical Branch

6

University Of California Irvine placed #6 among the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 18 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for University Of California Irvine

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for 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 six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 11 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #8 for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at Vanderbilt University

9

University Of Maryland Baltimore ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. There were roughly 11 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore earn around $85,300 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at University Of Maryland Baltimore

10
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $185,874 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University Of Pennsylvania

11
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #11 among the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 109 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $142,377 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Harvard University

12
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Loma Linda. Loma Linda University awarded about 12 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $93,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,094. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Loma Linda University

13

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #13 position for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 191 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $78,660 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

14
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #14 for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 99 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from Tufts University earn around $55,795 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Tufts University

15

Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. About 37 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete this degree. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at Saint Louis University Main Campus

16

George Washington University came in at #16 for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 74 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics 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. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for George Washington University

17
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #17 among the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 24 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at University Of Iowa

18

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 24 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

19

Medical University Of South Carolina placed #19 among the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Medical University Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. About 10 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at Medical University Of South Carolina in the most recent year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $89,719 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,043. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for Medical University Of South Carolina

20
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 145 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $66,028 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for Emory University

21

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 91 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,728. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University Of California Los Angeles

22

University Of Chicago earned the #22 position for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 11 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at University Of Chicago

23

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #23 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

24

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #24 for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 123 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn around $55,480 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,988. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

25

University Of Delaware earned the #25 position for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. University Of Delaware awarded about 36 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from University Of Delaware earn around $33,296 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University Of Delaware

Rest of the Top 50 Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong ecology, evolution & systematics biology education:

26
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
27
28
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
29
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31
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
32
33
34
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
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Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
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49
50

Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Degree Levels

Explore the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology
Associate's Degrees in Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology
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View All Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 362 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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