2027 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 26 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 Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $53,038. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $19,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $36,375. Set against $19,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned it the #3 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $33,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morgan State University earned it the #5 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $30,309 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $21,241. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #7 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #8 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $24,217. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $23,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $18,783 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,783 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #10 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $22,725. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry earned the #11 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,303 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,763 ten years out. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $76,132. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #13 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $29,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College placed #14 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Saint Vincent College generally make around $54,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Vincent College admits about 62% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #15 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $27,000. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $39,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University placed #16 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $26,259. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $66,828. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $185,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
St Lawrence University landed the #18 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,900. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $26,500. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $17,443. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. St Lawrence University admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Rochester placed #19 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $21,517. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #20 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $24,958. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $63,289. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Monmouth University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $25,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
George Washington University landed the #23 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $72,959. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #24 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $41,024. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Drexel University placed #25 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $62,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ecology, evolution & systematics biology value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.