2026 Best Ecology Master’s Degree Schools
Ecology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 87 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for ecology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Ecology in the United States
See the highest-ranked ecology schools offering a master’s degree below.
Top Schools in Ecology
No school ranked higher than University Of California Los Angeles this year for ecology. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 34 ecology degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Ecology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,728 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans.
More information about a degree in ecology from University Of California Los Angeles
Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ecology, landing the #2 spot this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 14 ecology degrees in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $48,193 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full ecology program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins
A rank of #3 makes Towson University one of the top schools for ecology. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 13 ecology degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology degree from Towson University earn around $50,370 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,241.
See the full ecology program report for Towson University
Utah State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 ecology students who graduated with this degree at Utah State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Utah State University graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans.
See the full ecology program report for Utah State University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best ecology schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 14 ecology students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Ecology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,923 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in ecology from Oklahoma State University Main Campus
The University Of Montana placed #6 among the best ecology schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 ecology degrees were awarded at The University Of Montana in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology degree from The University Of Montana earn around $42,654 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Montana graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans.
More information about a degree in ecology from The University Of Montana
Other Ecology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Ecology rankings across degree levels:
View All Ecology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 87 schools evaluated.
- 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.