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2027 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Southeast Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$18,835 Avg Student Debt
$70,690 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.

College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value ecology schools.

What’s on this page:

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

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

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.

5

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.

Narrow Ecology Schools by State

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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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