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2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

23 Ranked Colleges
692 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology is the 103rd most popular major in the country with 7,247 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, ecology, evolution and systematics biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,579 and had an average of $23,052 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 692 ecology, evolution and systematics biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,675 and $21,739 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in ecology, evolution and systematics biology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality ecology, evolution and systematics biology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the ecology, evolution and systematics biology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The ecology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $8,375 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Chicago.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at UChicago

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 143 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $10,481 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full U-M Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 50 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,364 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - Madison.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at UW - Madison

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,369 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend IU Bloomington.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at IU Bloomington

5
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also took the #8 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Purdue University - Main Campus

6

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 18 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $13,273 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

7

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $11,505 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIUC Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

8

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $13,306 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

9

Michigan Technological University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Michigan Technological University is a medium-sized public school situated in Houghton, Michigan. It awarded 7 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Michigan Tech has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Tech is $11,794 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Michigan Tech Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

10
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 43 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also took the #15 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $15,720 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan University Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

11
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 59 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,557 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Michigan State Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

12
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

DePauw University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Greencastle, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k list, DePauw has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePauw is $22,316 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at DePauw

13
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ferris State University is a public institution located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ferris also took the #23 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ferris State University is $13,230 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Ferris

14

With a ranking of #14, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Case Western has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Case Western is $19,864 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Case Western Reserve University Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

15

Kent State University at Kent landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 17 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $19,508 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Kent State University at Kent

16
GSU crest
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.

GSU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,810 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend GSU.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Governors State University

17
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Eastern Michigan, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan University is $14,547 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Eastern Michigan Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

18
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

WMU also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend WMU is $20,840 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full WMU Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

19

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $20,867 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

20
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Franklin College is located in Franklin, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

Franklin College of Indiana also took the #14 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Franklin College is $19,843 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Franklin College of Indiana

21

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 7 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $23,509 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend OHIO Athens.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at OHIO Athens

22

University of Dayton landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.

UDayton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $25,633 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UDayton.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Dayton

23
Calvin crest
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Calvin University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Grand Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Calvin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Calvin is $22,329 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Calvin

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