2023 Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
23
Ranked Colleges
692
Degrees Awarded
$12,100
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 7,247 people earned their degree in ecology, evolution and systematics biology, making the major the 103rd most popular in the United States. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 692 ecology, evolution and systematics biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,675 and $21,739 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in ecology, evolution and systematics biology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality ecology, evolution and systematics biology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the ecology, evolution and systematics biology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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.
Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $4,777 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Chicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 143 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,670 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend U-M.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,788 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Madison.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at IU Bloomington
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Purdue
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,036 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIUC.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 18 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 4 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
IUPUI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $8,216 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
Michigan Technological University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Michigan Technological University is a medium-sized school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 7 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Tech is $8,983 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Michigan Tech
Michigan State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $15,170 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Michigan State Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 43 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Central Michigan
Ferris State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ferris is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.
Ferris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $9,859 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ferris State University.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Ferris State University
Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 17 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State is $15,021 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Kent State University at Kent Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Case Western Reserve University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Case Western has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,570 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Case Western.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Case Western
Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
WMU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,552 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Michigan University.
Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at WMU
Franklin College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Franklin, Indiana. It awarded 4 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Franklin College of Indiana, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Franklin College of Indiana is $13,344 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Franklin College of Indiana Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Eastern Michigan University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 5 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $13,265 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Eastern Michigan
DePauw University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. DePauw University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greencastle, Indiana. It awarded 5 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
DePauw also took the #10 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,320 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DePauw University.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at DePauw
Governors State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
GSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Governors State University is $9,435 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Governors State University
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.
UC also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $15,966 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at UC
Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend OHIO Athens is $18,991 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at OHIO Athens
University of Dayton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. UDayton is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s ecology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UDayton, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,992 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UDayton.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UDayton Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
With a ranking of #23, Calvin University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
Calvin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Calvin University is $22,475 for great lakes region ecology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Calvin Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
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Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students in the Great Lakes Region
Most Focused Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students getting aid in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students with family income $30-$48k in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students with family income $75-$110k in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students in the Great Lakes Region
Highest Paid Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Graduates in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students in the Great Lakes Region
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Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students in the Great Lakes Region
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Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students with family income less than $30k in the Great Lakes Region
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Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students with family income $48-$75k in the Great Lakes Region
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Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students with family income exceeding $110k in the Great Lakes Region
Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
