2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in Pennsylvania

[Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong ecology, evolution & systematics biology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for ecology, evolution & systematics biology students.
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2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in Pennsylvania
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 East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #2 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $66,828. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #3 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $24,958. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $63,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology will find it at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $185,874. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Drexel University placed #6 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. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $62,505. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 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.