2027 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong ecology, evolution & systematics biology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools.
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2027 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools
For return on investment in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, no school beat University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $20,778. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,242 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $46,846 early in their careers. Set against $15,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #4. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $20,542. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $28,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #8 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University landed the #9 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #10 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $29,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #12 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $25,174. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Benedictine University came in at #13 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $25,338. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $54,212. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $23,530. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Dayton placed #15 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $23,609. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University landed the #17 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $25,106. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.