5 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Programs
| # | School | Net Price | In-State Tuition | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Illinois College
Jacksonville, Illinois
|
$17,945 | $37,470 | 61.1% | 77.2% |
| 2 |
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois
|
$21,270 | $30,598 | 51.4% | 94.1% |
| 3 |
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois
|
$21,539 | $37,940 | 60.3% | 57.8% |
| 4 |
Blackburn College
Carlinville, Illinois
|
$21,814 | $26,758 | 52.4% | 64.4% |
| 5 |
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
|
$27,143 | $65,997 | 95.9% | 7.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What explains Northwestern University's $27,143 net price compared to other Illinois ecology programs?
Northwestern's 7.21% acceptance rate and 95.90% graduation rate justify higher costs through research access and outcomes. The university maintains extensive field stations and partnerships with Chicago's natural history institutions. Students pay more but gain access to faculty conducting groundbreaking evolutionary research.
How do smaller Illinois colleges make ecology education affordable?
Illinois College achieves a $17,945 net price through targeted financial aid and lower operating costs in Jacksonville. Blackburn College requires student work programs that reduce the $26,758 sticker price to $21,814 net. These schools focus on undergraduate teaching rather than expensive research facilities.
Does Illinois offer strong job prospects for ecology graduates?
Illinois hosts major environmental consulting firms serving the manufacturing sector and Lake Michigan monitoring programs. The state's 57 state parks and various nature preserves hire ecologists for restoration work. Chicago's museums and zoos provide additional career paths for evolutionary biology graduates.
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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.