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2023 Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

14 Ranked Colleges
377 Degrees Awarded
$11,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology is the 103rd most popular major in the country with 7,247 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, ecology, evolution and systematics biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $35,579 and had an average of $23,052 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 377 ecology, evolution and systematics biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,423 and $26,452 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in ecology, evolution and systematics biology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great ecology, evolution and systematics biology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the ecology, evolution and systematics biology program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 15 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $1,556 for Plains States Region Ecology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WUSTL.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at WUSTL

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region Ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Iowa State

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Iowa Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 9 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

6
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $15,666 for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Kansas Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

7
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 7 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $10,513 for Plains States Region Ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Northern Iowa

8
Bemidji State University crest
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Bemidji State University is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 19 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

Bemidji State University also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,178 for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Bemidji State University Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

9

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 7 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest also took the #11 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,906 for Plains States Region Ecology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Northwest

10
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at St. Cloud State University

11

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $12,675 for Plains States Region Ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

12
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, Missouri

Drury University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Drury University is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

Drury University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,237 for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Drury University.

Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Drury University

13
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.

SLU also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend SLU is $15,136 for Plains States Region Ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full SLU Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report

14
Friends University crest
Friends University
Wichita, Kansas

With a ranking of #14, Friends University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Friends University is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Friends University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Friends University is $16,671 for plains states region ecology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Friends University

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