2026 Best Value Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Far Western Region

[Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/other-ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for other ecology, evolution & systematics biology students.
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2026 Best Value Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other ecology, evolution & systematics biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools
University Of California San Diego earned the #1 spot for value among other ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $18,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $40,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for other ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the other ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $16,672. Soon after graduation, other ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $88,607. That is a strong return on a $16,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the other ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career other ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $29,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete the other ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, other ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #6 position for value in other ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $18,887 in student loans. Early-career other ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $25,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value other ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.