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Cheapest Ecology Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Ohio's regional campuses dominate the most affordable Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology programs, with five campuses offering net prices under $7,000. Ohio University's satellite locations in Saint Clairsville and Ironton lead the pack at $4,503 and $5,328 respectively, though their graduation rates hover between 12% and 20%. This stark contrast highlights a key challenge in biological sciences education: balancing cost with completion rates. California State University-Fullerton breaks this pattern with a $5,646 net price and 69% graduation rate, making it an outlier for value. The field connects directly to growing conservation sectors across the Southwest, where federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service actively recruit graduates for habitat restoration and species monitoring positions. Early career earnings range from $20,140 to $29,685, reflecting entry-level positions in research assistance, environmental consulting, and government conservation work.
50
Programs
$4,503 – $13,816
Net Price Range
$25,688
Avg. Program Earnings
52.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
2 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
5 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
6 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
7 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
8 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
9 $7,233 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
10 $7,455 $5,354 50.6% 54.0%
11 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
12 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
13 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
14 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
15 $8,683 $5,498 25.2%
16 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
17 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
18 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
19 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
20 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
21 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
22 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
23 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
24 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
25 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
26 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
27 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
28 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
29 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
30 $11,811 $3,600 32.4%
31 $12,063 $7,838 41.6% 84.2%
32 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
33 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
34 $12,820 $27,150 70.0% 55.7%
35 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
36 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
37 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
38 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
39 $13,046 $9,578 52.6%
40 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
41 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
42 $13,347 $8,122 48.6% 85.5%
43 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
44 $13,485 $42,010 47.5% 71.5%
45 $13,487 $5,364 52.9% 52.1%
46 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
47 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
48 $13,742 $11,640 50.8% 78.6%
49 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
50 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ohio University's regional campuses so affordable for biology students?

Ohio University operates six regional campuses with identical $6,178 in-state tuition rates, but financial aid packages vary significantly by location. The Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville offers the lowest net price at $4,503, while the main campus charges considerably more. These satellite locations share faculty and resources with the main campus but operate with lower overhead costs. However, graduation rates at these campuses range from just 12% to 20%, suggesting students may transfer to complete degrees elsewhere.

How does California State University-Fullerton achieve both low cost and high graduation rates?

CSU-Fullerton combines a $5,646 net price with an impressive 69% graduation rate, making it the clear value leader among affordable programs. The university benefits from California's solid state funding for higher education and serves a large student population of over 40,000. Its location in Orange County provides access to research opportunities at nearby nature preserves and marine environments. The program's success rate suggests strong support systems that help students complete their degrees within six years.

Is the low graduation rate at regional campuses a concern for prospective students?

The sub-20% graduation rates at most Ohio University regional campuses reflect their role as transfer-oriented institutions rather than four-year completion centers. Many students use these campuses to complete general education requirements before moving to the main campus or other universities. This model keeps costs extremely low but requires students to plan carefully for program completion. The University of West Florida offers a middle ground with a $8,155 net price and 61% graduation rate for students preferring to complete degrees at their initial institution.

Does College of the Ozarks offer better value despite its higher listed tuition?

College of the Ozarks operates a unique work-study program where students work on campus to cover educational costs, resulting in a $7,669 net price despite a $21,290 sticker price. The private college achieves a 61% graduation rate with highly selective 21% acceptance rate. Students typically graduate debt-free through the work program, making it competitive with public options. The rural Missouri location provides direct access to Ozark Mountain ecosystems for field research in population biology and conservation.

Where do graduates typically find employment with early career earnings of $20,000-$30,000?

Entry-level positions in ecology and population biology typically include research technician roles with universities, environmental consulting firms, and government agencies like state departments of natural resources. The $20,140 to $29,685 earnings range reflects starting salaries for field research assistants, laboratory technicians, and junior conservation specialists. Many graduates pursue additional education or certifications to advance to higher-paying positions in wildlife management, environmental consulting, or research coordination. Geographic location significantly impacts starting salaries, with federal positions often offering better benefits packages than private sector alternatives.

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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.