2027 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools
[Evolutionary Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/ecology-and-evolutionary-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong evolutionary biology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for evolutionary biology students.
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Finding the Best Value Evolutionary Biology School for You
Where you study evolutionary biology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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2027 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the evolutionary biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in evolutionary biology in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $10,888. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $53,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in evolutionary biology will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $46,846. That is a strong return on a $15,242 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $19,819. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University placed #8 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #9 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $24,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of California Davis landed the #10 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $19,951. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,951 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #11 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value evolutionary 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, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $20,542. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,459 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $24,143 early in their careers. Set against $10,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho landed the #14 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $19,375. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Arizona landed the #15 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #16 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $18,887 in student loans. Evolutionary 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.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #17 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Central Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for evolutionary biology. 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. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #19 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,608. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #20 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $24,347. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $29,842. Set against $24,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #21 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #22 position for value in evolutionary 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. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $76,132. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #23 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #24 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,461. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $40,352. That is a strong return on a $23,461 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #25 among the best values for evolutionary biology. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,331. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $37,184. Set against $23,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for evolutionary biology this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
