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2024 Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools

193 Colleges in the United States
7,935 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$35,579 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #103 most popular degree program in the country. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

College Factual looked at 193 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 7,935 degrees in ecology, evolution & systematics biology to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology School

Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools Your choice of ecology, evolution & systematics biology school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Ecology
Bachelor's Degrees in Ecology
Master's Degrees in Ecology
Doctor's Degrees in Ecology

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools list to help you make the college decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the ecology degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Ecology

1
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
232 Ecology Degrees Awarded
14.2% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology needs to look into Harvard University. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Cambridge. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were about 232 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the ecology, evolution & systematics biology major at Harvard University earn $25,237 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Harvard University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
269 Ecology Degrees Awarded
6.7% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you want to pursue a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 269 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Those ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who get their degree from Columbia University in the City of New York earn $33,948 more than the average ecology student.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Columbia University in the City of New York

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
33 Ecology Degrees Awarded
21.2% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology needs to look into University of Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 33 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at University of Pennsylvania make $96,468 more than the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of Pennsylvania

4
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
105 Ecology Degrees Awarded
11.4% Growth in Graduates

Yale University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology. Located in the medium-sized city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were about 105 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent year we have data available. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology degree recipients from Yale University receive an earnings boost of around $15,191 above the typical earnings of ecology, evolution & systematics biology majors.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Yale University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
57 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$38,447 Median Starting Salary

Princeton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Princeton. A Best Colleges rank of #10 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Princeton is a great university overall.

There were about 57 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent year we have data available. Those ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who get their degree from Princeton University make $2,868 more than the typical ecology graduate.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Princeton University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
170 Ecology Degrees Awarded
28.2% Growth in Graduates

UTHealth is a medium-sized public university located in the large city of Houston.

There were approximately 170 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UTHealth in the most recent data year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology degree recipients from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston get an earnings boost of about $12,302 above the typical income of ecology, evolution & systematics biology majors.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

7
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In RI

Located in the midsize city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were about 15 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Brown University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CA

Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were roughly 30 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Stanford University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MO
40.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 25 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Washington University in St Louis

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
35 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$65,910 Median Starting Salary

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 35 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the ecology, evolution & systematics biology program at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn $30,331 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
209 Ecology Degrees Awarded
19.1% Growth in Graduates

Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. This university ranks 6th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 209 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology degree recipients from Boston University get an earnings boost of around $9,584 above the typical earnings of ecology, evolution & systematics biology majors.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Boston University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IL
40.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were approximately 22 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of Chicago

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In CA

USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 8 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of Southern California

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In NH
33.3% Growth in Graduates

Dartmouth is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the town of Hanover. This college ranks 1st out of 17 schools for overall quality in the state of New Hampshire.

There were approximately 3 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Dartmouth College

15
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
174 Ecology Degrees Awarded
6.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 174 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the ecology, evolution & systematics biology major at Emory University earn $19,412 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Emory University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
123 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$30,637 Median Starting Salary

BYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Provo. This university ranks 1st out of 13 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were about 123 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the ecology program state that they receive average early career income of $30,637.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Brigham Young University - Provo

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
100 Ecology Degrees Awarded
8.0% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. This university ranks 1st out of 36 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were approximately 100 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University receive an earnings boost of about $25,884 over the average earnings of ecology, evolution & systematics biology graduates.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Johns Hopkins University

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
54 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$24,879 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 54 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the ecology program make around $24,879 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of California - Los Angeles

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In NY
14.3% Growth in Graduates

Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. This university ranks 3rd out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 7 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Cornell University

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
141 Ecology Degrees Awarded
$30,943 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 51 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were roughly 141 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the ecology program state that they receive average early career earnings of $30,943.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
221 Ecology Degrees Awarded
16.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 221 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the ecology program make about $35,550 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Texas A&M University - College Station

22
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In NC

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were roughly 12 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from Duke University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In CA

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 13 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of California - Berkeley

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
211 Ecology Degrees Awarded
25.6% Growth in Graduates

UCSD is a very large public university located in the large city of La Jolla. This university ranks 8th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 211 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the ecology program earn about $24,222 for their early career.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of California - San Diego

25
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
159 Ecology Degrees Awarded
10.1% Growth in Graduates

U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. This university ranks 1st out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 159 ecology, evolution & systematics biology students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the ecology program make around $35,646 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in ecology, evolution & systematics biology from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Rest of the Top Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools

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28

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students that almost earned our Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
29University of California - DavisDavis, CA
30George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
31University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, WI
32New York UniversityNew York, NY
33Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
34Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN
35Tufts UniversityMedford, MA
36University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
37University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
38Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI

Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology by Region

View the Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 14 majors within the Biological & Biomedical Sciences area of study, Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Ecology Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
Epidemiology2,601
Marine Biology1,994
Ecology1,028
Evolutionary Biology772
Environmental Biology487
Conservation Biology349
Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology284
Evolutionary Biology211
Aquatic Biology/Limnology122
Epidemiology and Biostatistics48

View All Ecology Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Ecology

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
General Biology106,032
Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology14,558
Neurobiology & Neurosciences12,616
Physiology & Pathology Sciences9,568
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences6,440
Microbiological Sciences & Immunology4,834
Biotechnology4,245
Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Other)4,225
Biomathematics & Bioinformatics3,070
Zoology3,067

View All Ecology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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