2027 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Bachelor’s Degree 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 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for evolutionary biology students.
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2027 Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in evolutionary biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Evolutionary Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in evolutionary biology in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $53,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $22,844 early in their careers. 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 Northern Arizona University one of the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $21,645. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for evolutionary biology. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $19,844. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in evolutionary biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,951 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $32,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University placed #7 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $25,800. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Saint Cloud State University placed #8 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $26,500. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $24,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #9 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #10 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho earned the #11 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Arizona earned the #12 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #13 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,887 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. 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.
Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Iowa State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value evolutionary biology schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $24,347 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $29,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #17 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #18 for value in evolutionary biology this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $23,461. Soon after graduation, evolutionary biology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $27,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #19 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $23,331 to complete the evolutionary biology program here. Early-career evolutionary biology graduates make about $37,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Florida Southern College placed #20 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakeland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,040. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $26,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #21 position for value in evolutionary biology this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $24,958. Evolutionary Biology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $63,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northeastern University landed the #22 spot for evolutionary biology value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Evolutionary Biology graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $39,255 early in their careers. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Colorado College placed #23 among the best values for evolutionary biology. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,734. Typical student debt for evolutionary biology graduates is $17,921. Evolutionary Biology graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
Other Evolutionary Biology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value evolutionary biology schools at other degree levels:
View All Evolutionary Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
