2026 Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in California

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 18 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for University Of Southern California

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 38 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Stanford University

3

Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 13 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Loma Linda University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from Loma Linda University generally make around $93,833. Loma Linda University graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for Loma Linda University

4

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 110 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $29,258 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at University Of California Santa Barbara

5

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 49 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University Of California Irvine

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 68 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $35,436 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,948 to complete this degree. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at California State University Long Beach

7

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #7 position for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 15 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $40,040 in their early career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for University Of California Riverside

8

University Of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of California San Francisco ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 11 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at University Of California San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of California San Francisco generally make around $118,532. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University Of California San Francisco

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #9 position for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 109 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $18,728 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,417. Read more about the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at University Of California Los Angeles

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #10 among the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 208 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $40,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,834 to complete this degree. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for University Of California San Diego

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #11 for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 17 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program make about $49,427 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. See the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #12 position for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 174 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $25,810. Typical student debt for the program is $18,887. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for University Of California Santa Cruz

13

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #13 among the best ecology, evolution & systematics biology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 63 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ecology, evolution & systematics biology degree from University Of California Davis earn around $32,161 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,951 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University Of California Davis

14

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University earned the #14 position for ecology, evolution & systematics biology this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 64 ecology, evolution & systematics biology degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete this degree. Get the full ecology, evolution & systematics biology details for California Baptist University