2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Southeast Region

[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value ecology schools.
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2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ecology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ecology Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Ecology graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Ecology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $80,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place for ecology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $15,977. Early-career ecology graduates make about $25,724. That is a strong return on a $15,977 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ecology will find it at Duke University, which ranked #4. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the ecology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Florida Institute Of Technology one of the best values for ecology. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for ecology graduates is $32,114. Early-career ecology graduates make about $69,878. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% 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.
- 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.