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2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

11 Colleges in the United States
$22,457 Avg Student Debt
$74,687 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Ecology Badge [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.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for ecology students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 Maryland College Park this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Ecology graduates carry a median of $19,635 in student loans. Ecology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $36,375 early in their careers. Set against $19,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

2
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $21,241. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Plattsburgh earned it the #3 place for ecology. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Ecology graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $23,682. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Delaware earned it the #4 place for ecology. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $33,296. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

5

Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the ecology program here. Early-career ecology graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

6
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #6 for value in ecology this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $22,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for ecology value 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. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $23,258. Early-career ecology graduates make about $76,132. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

8

Saint Vincent College landed the #8 spot for ecology value this year. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $26,986. Ecology graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $54,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,986 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

9

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #9 for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Ecology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career ecology graduates make about $39,491. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

10

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in ecology this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $25,266. Ecology graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

11
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #11 for value in ecology this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the ecology program here. Ecology graduates of New York University earn a median of $41,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

View All Ecology Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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