2027 Best Value Ecology Master’s Degree Schools
[Ecology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/ecology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for ecology students.
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2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ecology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ecology Schools
For return on investment in ecology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Ecology graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for ecology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $18,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #3 spot this year. 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 ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $62,981. Set against $15,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in ecology will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $15,977. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $25,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
A rank of #5 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for ecology. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #6 for value in ecology this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $19,951. Ecology 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Utah State University landed the #7 spot for ecology value this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for ecology. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, 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. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #9 among the best values for ecology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $65,137. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Delaware ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Ecology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Ecology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $33,296 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University landed the #11 spot for ecology value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best values for ecology. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #13 spot for ecology value 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. Students borrow a median of $18,887 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $40,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #14 among the best values for ecology. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Ecology graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for ecology value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Ecology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #16 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Ecology graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $78,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #17 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #18 spot for ecology value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $19,500. Early-career ecology graduates make about $48,193. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools. 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. Ecology graduates carry a median of $23,461 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $52,933. Set against $23,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Connecticut earned the #20 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $26,798. Early-career ecology graduates make about $32,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Duke University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $13,296. Early-career ecology graduates make about $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ecology graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Ecology graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
New York University earned the #24 position for value in ecology this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Ecology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $41,024. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Other Ecology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value ecology schools at other degree levels:
View All Ecology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
