2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
23
Ranked Colleges
692
Degrees Awarded
$19,200
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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 Great Lakes region, there were 692 ecology, evolution and systematics biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,675 and $21,739 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered 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.
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.
More Ways to Rank Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools
The ecology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $14,878 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full U-M Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 27 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $17,234 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 59 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,058 for great lakes region ecology students with aid per year to attend Michigan State.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Full Michigan State University Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
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 Getting Aid list. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 18 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full Purdue University - Main Campus Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 4 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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 also made our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $14,321 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 18 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Ohio State Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Central Michigan University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 43 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students with aid list, Central Michigan has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
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 full report on Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Central Michigan University
Ferris State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Big Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 5 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
Ferris did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ferris is $12,213 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
Full Ferris State University Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
Kent State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $19,117 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Kent State
Michigan Technological University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This medium-sized school is located in Houghton, Michigan, and it awarded 7 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan Tech, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,384 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid per year to attend Michigan Tech.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Michigan Tech
Western Michigan University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
WMU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $20,371 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at WMU
Eastern Michigan University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecology degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students with aid list, Eastern Michigan has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Eastern Michigan
Governors State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Governors State University is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 3 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GSU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $10,436 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
Read full report on 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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Franklin College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Franklin, Indiana, and it awarded 4 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students with aid list, Franklin College of Indiana has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Franklin College is $20,535 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
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 Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 7 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students with aid list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OHIO Athens is $23,831 for great lakes region ecology students with aid.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Ohio University - Athens Campus
University of Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $28,517 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid per year to attend University of Chicago.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at University of Chicago
DePauw University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. DePauw University is a small school located in Greencastle, Indiana that handed out 5 ’s ecology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students with aid list, DePauw has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $25,587 for great lakes region ecology students with aid 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 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%. 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 University
Calvin University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Calvin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Calvin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Calvin University is $26,082 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at Calvin
With a ranking of #22, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s ecology students in 2020-2021.
Case Western also took the #6 spot in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $34,214 for Great Lakes Region Ecology students with aid per year to attend Case Western Reserve University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Case Western Reserve University Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Report
University of Dayton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. UDayton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region ecology students with aid list, UDayton has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $29,928 for great lakes region ecology students with aid per year to attend UDayton.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology at UDayton
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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
Most Popular 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 (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students with family income less than $30k in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology students with family income $48-$75k in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Colleges for Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology (Income Over $110k) in the Great Lakes Region
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
