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Best Value Ecology Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California's ecology programs reveal stark contrasts in both cost and outcomes, with net prices spanning from Cal State Fullerton's $5,646 to Dominican University's $50,218. The state's massive biotech sector and environmental research facilities create unique opportunities for graduates, though early career earnings show surprising variation from UC Santa Barbara's $21,312 to Cal Poly Pomona's $32,569. California State University Northridge delivers strong value with a $7,599 net price and $29,685 median earnings, while maintaining a 91% acceptance rate that makes quality education accessible. The UC system dominates graduation rates, with UCLA achieving 92.7% completion despite highly selective 8.6% admissions. California's leadership in climate research, conservation initiatives, and biodiversity studies through institutions like the California Academy of Sciences provides graduates with direct pathways into meaningful careers studying everything from endangered species recovery to ecosystem management in one of the world's most biodiverse regions.
21
Programs
$5,646 – $50,218
Net Price Range
$27,123
Avg. Program Earnings
70.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,599 $29,685 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
2 $11,580 $32,569 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
3 $11,750 $26,224 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
4 $14,838 $28,598 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
5 $13,825 $21,312 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
6 $16,607 $24,351 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
7 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
8 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
9 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
10 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
11 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
12 $50,218 $50,666 76.3% 93.2%
13 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
14 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
15 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
16 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
17 $31,265 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%
18 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
19 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
20 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
21 $14,487 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $44,572 price gap between the most and least expensive programs?

The difference reflects California's mix of affordable public institutions and expensive private colleges. Cal State Fullerton charges just $5,646 net price while Dominican University costs $50,218. Public universities benefit from state funding and Cal Grant assistance, which covers tuition for qualifying students. Private institutions often provide smaller class sizes and specialized research opportunities that justify higher costs.

How do UC schools compare in graduation rates versus earnings for ecology majors?

UC schools achieve strong graduation rates, with UCLA at 92.7% and UC San Diego at 87.6%, but show mixed early career earnings. UC Santa Barbara graduates earn $21,312 median salary despite an 85.3% graduation rate. UC San Diego performs better at $26,224 earnings with similar academic outcomes. The variation suggests different career paths and geographic factors influence post-graduation income.

Is Cal Poly Pomona worth the higher acceptance requirements given its earnings outcomes?

Cal Poly Pomona's 55% acceptance rate makes it moderately selective, but graduates earn the highest median salary at $32,569. The school charges $11,580 net price and achieves a solid 66.7% graduation rate. Students carry relatively low debt at $12,744, making the investment worthwhile for those who gain admission and complete the program.

Does the high cost of living in California affect program value calculations?

California's high living costs, especially in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, significantly impact real purchasing power of graduate earnings. A $26,000 salary in rural areas may provide better quality of life than $30,000 in San Francisco. Students should consider regional salary differences and living expenses when evaluating program value. Many graduates relocate to areas with better cost-of-living ratios after gaining California research experience.

Where do California ecology graduates typically find employment in the state's economy?

California's $3.6 trillion economy offers ecology graduates positions across biotech companies, environmental consulting firms, and government agencies. The state leads in conservation research through organizations like The Nature Conservancy and environmental compliance roles in aerospace and tech industries. Agricultural regions provide opportunities in sustainable farming and pest management. Climate change research positions exist throughout the extensive UC and Cal State research network.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.