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2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$22,563 Avg Student Debt
$64,045 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Ecology Badge [Ecology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/ecology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for ecology students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ecology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Ecology Schools

1

For return on investment in ecology, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Ecology graduates carry a median of $15,242 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $46,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

Michigan Technological University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $25,800. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

3

Students looking for strong value in ecology will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ecology graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in ecology will find it at Kent State University At Kent, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Ecology graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Ecology graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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