2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the The Plains States 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools.
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2026 Best Value Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #1 spot for value among ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #3 place for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $24,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Northwest Missouri State University one of the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $49,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Bemidji State University landed the #6 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology value this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,626 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Set against $28,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #7 position for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #8 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,347 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $29,842. Set against $24,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #10 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #11 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates is $24,463. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Washington University In St Louis placed #12 among the best values for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program here. Early-career ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
