835
Graduates Per Year
$44K
Average Salary
#232
Most Popular Major
Degree Stats
Popular
835
13% NATIONAL AVG
Diplomas Received Last Year
65
5% NATIONAL AVG
Colleges Offering this Degree
Most Popular Degrees
231
Recreational Therapy
842
232
Ecology
835
233
Systems Engineering
834
Most Widely Offered Degrees
35
/
1.852
Worse
Better
Top 100 Colleges offering this degree
Degree Granting Schools that are Public
Most Graduates
By Region
Mid East
University of Maryland-College Park
By State
New York
New York University
By Conference
Big Twelve Conference
Iowa State University
By School
University of California-Davis
If you think life as an environmental ecologist, ecologist, or biological ecologist sounds interesting, then a degree in ecology may just be for you. You could even become an ecologist who discovers the plant that saves our bee populations!
Ecology is the 232nd most popular degree in America, with 835 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #233 Systems Engineering, and narrowly lost to #231 Recreational Therapy.
The degree is offered at a total of 65 colleges across the nation, and is the 230th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 7% of the Top 100 Best Colleges in America.
It is also worth noting that close to 66.7% of colleges offering ecology are public making it a quite accessible field.
The mid east produces the most ecology graduates, largely led by University of Maryland-College Park, while it’s the Big Twelve Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, New York ranks highest, with particular help from New York University and Siena College.
All that being said, no individual school produces more ecology graduates than University of California-Davis, which graduated 96 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study ecology). More students studied ecology as a percentage of total students at Connecticut College than any other college.
Good luck on your college search. We hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for Ecology list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
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#1 Best Colleges for Ecology
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a very large public university located in Fort Collins, CO ranked 6th in Colorado. It has a total of 28,398 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting in the neighborhood of four out of five applicants. Colorado State University-Fort Collins offers 249 different majors and is best known for its Ecology, Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, and Construction Engineering Technology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $9,426 for in-state students and $28,147 for those from out-of-state, Colorado State University-Fort Collins is reasonably costly. 61.27% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn close to $47,100 per year, which is 13% over the national median.
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Fort Collins, CO
colostate.edu
B+
Rating
81%
Acceptance
37,356
Students
# 115
Ranking
$28,147
Tuition
#2 Best Colleges for Ecology
Connecticut College is a small private liberal arts college located in New London, CT ranked 96th in America. It has a total of 1,922 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, with a 37.41% acceptance rate. Connecticut College offers 50 different majors and is best known for its Ecology, Molecular Biology, and Human Development and Family Studies programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 7th, and 24th respectively). With an annual tuition of $56,540 per year, Connecticut College is extremely costly. 82.41% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, joining the workforce. Open graduating, alumni go on to draw about $54,900 per year, which is 32% over the national median.
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New London, CT
www.conncoll.edu
A+
Rating
37%
Acceptance
1,922
Students
# 85
Ranking
$56,540
Tuition
#3 Best Colleges for Ecology
New York University is a very large private university located in New York, NY ranked 25th in America. It has a total of 29,902 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 16.2% of applicants. New York University offers 564 different majors and is best known for its Drama, Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, and Management Information Systems programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $50,684 per year, New York University is exceptionally expensive. 73.93% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to make roughly $61,900 per year, which is 49% over the national median.
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New York, NY
www.nyu.edu
A+
Rating
16%
Acceptance
58,091
Students
# 25
Ranking
$50,684
Tuition
#4 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of Maryland-College Park is a very large public university located in College Park, MD ranked 100th in America. It has a total of 33,022 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 44.18% of applicants. University of Maryland-College Park offers 432 different majors and is best known for its Criminology, Preschool Education and Teaching, and Family and Community Services programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $8,824 for students from Maryland and $34,936 for those from out-of-state, University of Maryland-College Park is somewhat moderately pricey. 75.08% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, joining the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to make around $62,900 per year, which is 51% greater than the national median.
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College Park, MD
www.umd.edu
A
Rating
44%
Acceptance
44,486
Students
# 13
Ranking
$34,936
Tuition
#5 Best Colleges for Ecology
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is a very large public university located in Stillwater, OK ranked 3rd in Oklahoma. It has a total of 22,404 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 69.98% of applicants. Oklahoma State University-Main Campus offers 260 different majors and is best known for its Technical Teacher Education, Agricultural Public Services, and Fire Protection programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $5,357 for students from Oklahoma and $20,877 for those from out-of-state, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is reasonably pricey. 54.49% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, employment. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to make more or less $46,500 per year, which is 12% over the national median.
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Stillwater, OK
www.okstate.edu/
B
Rating
70%
Acceptance
27,200
Students
# 140
Ranking
$20,877
Tuition
#6 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of California-Santa Cruz is a large public university located in Santa Cruz, CA ranked 175th in the United States. It has a total of 18,774 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 51.31% of applicants. University of California-Santa Cruz offers 155 different majors and is best known for its Comparative Literature, Women's Studies, and Hispanic-American Studies programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $11,442 for students from California and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-Santa Cruz is quite costly. 72.4% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to take in roughly $46,900 per year, which is 13% over the national median.
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Santa Cruz, CA
www.ucsc.edu/
A
Rating
51%
Acceptance
20,839
Students
# 47
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#7 Best Colleges for Ecology
Iowa State University is a very large public university located in Ames, IA ranked 5th in Iowa. It has a total of 31,555 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 92.05% of applicants. Iowa State University offers 345 different majors and is best known for its Plant Sciences, Agronomy and Crop Science, and Agricultural Mechanization programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $8,042 for students from Iowa and $23,230 for those from out-of-state, Iowa State University is reasonably high-priced. 68.35% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor force. After finishing college, alumni go on to earn more or less $50,700 per year, which is 22% greater than the national median.
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Ames, IA
www.iastate.edu
B+
Rating
92%
Acceptance
37,944
Students
# 111
Ranking
$23,230
Tuition
#8 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of Georgia is a very large public university located in Athens, GA ranked 127th in the United States. It has a total of 32,548 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 45.3% acceptance rate. University of Georgia offers 419 different majors and is best known for its Insurance, Landscape Architecture, and Mathematics Teacher Education programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $9,790 for students from Georgia and $28,830 for those from out-of-state, University of Georgia is reasonably costly. 74.72% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, working. After finishing college, alumni go on to bring home about $50,500 per year, which is 22% above the national median.
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Athens, GA
www.uga.edu
A
Rating
45%
Acceptance
42,708
Students
# 24
Ranking
$28,830
Tuition
#9 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is a very large public university located in Minneapolis, MN ranked 137th in the United States. It has a total of 43,828 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 56.74% of applicants. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers 520 different majors and is best known for its Computer Systems Analysis, Developmental and Child Psychology, and Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $13,318 for students from Minnesota and $31,616 for those from out-of-state, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is reasonably costly. 73.11% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to take home close to $51,900 per year, which is 25% above the national median.
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Minneapolis, MN
https://twin-cities.umn.edu
A
Rating
57%
Acceptance
61,787
Students
# 29
Ranking
$31,616
Tuition
#10 Best Colleges for Ecology
College of the Ozarks is a small private institution located in Point Lookout, MO ranked 227th in America. It has a total of 1,845 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, with a 10.26% acceptance rate. College of the Ozarks offers 76 different majors and is best known for its Bible Studies, Ecology, and Child Development programs (nationally ranked 5th, 10th, and 11th respectively). With an annual tuition of $19,200 per year, College of the Ozarks is reasonably priced. 58.51% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor force. After finishing college, alumni go on to make near $32,500 per year, which is 22% less than the national median.
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Point Lookout, MO
www.cofo.edu
A-
Rating
10%
Acceptance
1,845
Students
# 166
Ranking
$19,200
Tuition
#11 Best Colleges for Ecology
Siena College is a small private liberal arts college located in Loudonville, NY ranked 48th in New York. It has a total of 3,404 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting something like 4/5 of applicants. Siena College offers 51 different majors and is best known for its Ecology, Actuarial Science, and Marketing programs (nationally ranked 11th, 19th, and 21st respectively). With an annual tuition of $38,055 per year, Siena College is quite high-priced. 72.75% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to make about $57,100 per year, which is 37% greater than the national median.
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Loudonville, NY
https://www.siena.edu
B+
Rating
81%
Acceptance
3,516
Students
# 249
Ranking
$38,055
Tuition
#12 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of California-Los Angeles is a very large public university located in Los Angeles, CA ranked 33rd in America. It has a total of 33,703 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 12.32% of applicants. University of California-Los Angeles offers 333 different majors and is best known for its Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science and Government programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $11,442 for students from California and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-Los Angeles is quite expensive. 80.62% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn more or less $60,700 per year, which is 46% above the national median.
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Los Angeles, CA
www.ucla.edu/
A+
Rating
12%
Acceptance
47,103
Students
# 1
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#13 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of Connecticut is a very large public university located in Storrs, CT ranked 130th in America. It has a total of 20,479 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 49.42% of applicants. University of Connecticut offers 376 different majors and is best known for its Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Actuarial Science, and History Teacher Education programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 4th, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $13,798 for in-state students and $36,466 for those from out-of-state, University of Connecticut is quite costly. 72.61% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to earn around $58,400 per year, which is 41% above the national median.
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Storrs, CT
uconn.edu/
A
Rating
49%
Acceptance
29,683
Students
# 25
Ranking
$36,466
Tuition
#14 Best Colleges for Ecology
Stony Brook University is a very large public university located in Stony Brook, NY ranked 151st in the US. It has a total of 20,506 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 44.15% of applicants. Stony Brook University offers 263 different majors and is best known for its Applied Mathematics, Respiratory Care Therapy, and Pharmacology and Toxicology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 4th, and 6th respectively). With an annual tuition of $7,070 for in-state students and $24,740 for those from out-of-state, Stony Brook University is somewhat moderately high-priced. 67.59% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, joining the workforce. After graduation, alumni go on to earn near $57,600 per year, which is 39% over the national median.
Read More
Stony Brook, NY
https://www.stonybrook.edu
A
Rating
44%
Acceptance
30,458
Students
# 35
Ranking
$24,740
Tuition
#15 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of Denver is a large private university located in Denver, CO ranked 164th in America. It has a total of 6,203 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting more or less 3/5ths of applicants. University of Denver offers 230 different majors and is best known for its Business Statistics, Computer Systems Analysis, and Molecular Biology programs (nationally ranked 4th, 4th, and 11th respectively). With an annual tuition of $51,336 per year, University of Denver is very pricey. 67.77% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor market. Open graduating, alumni go on to bring home near $56,500 per year, which is 36% greater than the national median.
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Denver, CO
www.du.edu
A
Rating
59%
Acceptance
14,429
Students
# 123
Ranking
$51,336
Tuition
#16 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of North Texas is a very large public university located in Denton, TX ranked 24th in Texas. It has a total of 35,111 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 73.61% acceptance rate. University of North Texas offers 243 different majors and is best known for its General Studies, Jazz, and Fashion Merchandising programs (nationally ranked 1st, 6th, and 7th respectively). With an annual tuition of $8,295 for students from Texas and $18,423 for those from out-of-state, University of North Texas is reasonably priced. 55.16% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, entering the labor market. After college, alumni go on to take in near $45,000 per year, which is 8% greater than the national median.
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Denton, TX
www.unt.edu
C+
Rating
74%
Acceptance
43,963
Students
# 200
Ranking
$18,423
Tuition
#17 Best Colleges for Ecology
Le Moyne College is a small private institution located in Syracuse, NY ranked 59th in New York. It has a total of 2,986 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 73.62% of applicants. Le Moyne College offers 60 different majors and is best known for its Ecology and Operations Management and Supervision programs, which are respectively ranked 17th and 19th in the United States. With an annual tuition of $34,230 per year, Le Moyne College is somewhat moderately costly. 70.12% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to make more or less $49,600 per year, which is 19% greater than the national median.
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Syracuse, NY
www.lemoyne.edu
B
Rating
74%
Acceptance
3,828
Students
# 294
Ranking
$34,230
Tuition
#18 Best Colleges for Ecology
Seattle Pacific University is a small private college located in Seattle, WA ranked 14th in Washington. It has a total of 3,098 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 90.61% of applicants. Seattle Pacific University offers 111 different majors and is best known for its Physiology, Fashion Merchandising, and Ecology programs (nationally ranked 12th, 14th, and 18th respectively). With an annual tuition of $44,604 per year, Seattle Pacific University is rather costly. 59.29% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to make about $49,100 per year, which is 18% greater than the national median.
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Seattle, WA
https://spu.edu
B-
Rating
91%
Acceptance
4,071
Students
# 422
Ranking
$44,604
Tuition
#19 Best Colleges for Ecology
SUNY College at Plattsburgh is a mid-sized public institution located in Plattsburgh, NY ranked 83rd in New York. It has a total of 5,920 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 58.48% of applicants. SUNY College at Plattsburgh offers 96 different majors and is best known for its Broadcast Journalism, Ecology, and Latin American Studies programs (nationally ranked 14th, 19th, and 32nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $7,070 for students from New York and $16,980 for those from out-of-state, SUNY College at Plattsburgh is reasonably priced. 58.72% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, entering the labor force. After graduation, alumni go on to take in about $42,400 per year, which is 2% greater than the national median.
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Plattsburgh, NY
www.plattsburgh.edu
C+
Rating
58%
Acceptance
6,475
Students
# 209
Ranking
$16,980
Tuition
#20 Best Colleges for Ecology
Susquehanna University is a small private liberal arts college located in Selinsgrove, PA ranked 32nd in Pennsylvania. It has a total of 2,469 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 72.03% of applicants. Susquehanna University offers 64 different majors and is best known for its Ecology, Creative Writing, and Graphic Design programs (nationally ranked 20th, 27th, and 46th respectively). With an annual tuition of $48,560 per year, Susquehanna University is extremely expensive. 69.27% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to earn about $54,100 per year, which is 30% greater than the national median.
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Selinsgrove, PA
www.susqu.edu
B
Rating
72%
Acceptance
2,473
Students
# 303
Ranking
$48,560
Tuition
#21 Best Colleges for Ecology
University of Northern Iowa is a large public college located in Cedar Falls, IA ranked 17th in Iowa. It has a total of 10,467 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 79.05% acceptance rate. University of Northern Iowa offers 165 different majors and is best known for its Social Science Teacher Education, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Applied Economics programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 6th respectively). With an annual tuition of $7,665 for in-state students and $19,949 for those from out-of-state, University of Northern Iowa is reasonably priced. 61.09% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, joining the labor force. After college, alumni go on to make around $44,600 per year, which is 7% greater than the national median.
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Cedar Falls, IA
www.uni.edu
C+
Rating
79%
Acceptance
13,040
Students
# 213
Ranking
$19,949
Tuition
#22 Best Colleges for Ecology
The University of Montana-Western is a small public college located in Dillon, MT ranked 5th in Montana. It has a total of 1,791 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting just about five ninths of applicants. The University of Montana-Western offers 43 different majors and is best known for its Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services and Ecology programs, which are respectively ranked 8th and 22nd in the United States. With an annual tuition of $4,523 for students from Montana and $15,913 for those from out-of-state, The University of Montana-Western is moderately priced. 31.39% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to make close to $30,400 per year, which is 27% less than the national median.
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Dillon, MT
w.umwestern.edu/
C
Rating
56%
Acceptance
1,791
Students
# 446
Ranking
$15,913
Tuition
#23 Best Colleges for Ecology
Northern State University is a small public college located in Aberdeen, SD ranked 11th in South Dakota. It has a total of 4,143 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 84.46% of applicants. Northern State University offers 69 different majors and is best known for its Ecology and Rhetoric and Composition programs, which are respectively ranked 23rd and 39th in the United States. With an annual tuition of $7,540 for students from South Dakota and $10,611 for those from out-of-state, Northern State University is pretty cheap. 36.82% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, entering the labor market. After college, alumni go on to take in around $35,300 per year, which is 15% below the national median.
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Aberdeen, SD
www.northern.edu
C
Rating
84%
Acceptance
4,770
Students
# 569
Ranking
$10,611
Tuition
#24 Best Colleges for Ecology
Central Washington University is a large public college located in Ellensburg, WA ranked 18th in Washington. It has a total of 16,355 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 84.92% of applicants. Central Washington University offers 302 different majors and is best known for its Pre-Nursing Studies, Retailing and Retail Operations, and Environmental Control Technologies programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 5th, and 13th respectively). With an annual tuition of $6,318 for in-state students and $21,999 for those from out-of-state, Central Washington University is somewhat moderately expensive. 56.1% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, working. After finishing college, alumni go on to bring in close to $46,500 per year, which is 12% greater than the national median.
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Ellensburg, WA
www.cwu.edu
C+
Rating
85%
Acceptance
17,678
Students
# 279
Ranking
$21,999
Tuition
#25 Best Colleges for Ecology
Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution located in Saint Cloud, MN ranked 33rd in Minnesota. It has a total of 13,967 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 90.04% of applicants. Saint Cloud State University offers 208 different majors and is best known for its Biology Teacher Education, Spanish Language Teacher Education, and Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling programs (nationally ranked 7th, 13th, and 18th respectively). With an annual tuition of $7,394 for students from Minnesota and $15,686 for those from out-of-state, Saint Cloud State University is moderately priced. 44.41% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, entering the workforce. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to bring in roughly $44,200 per year, which is 6% over the national median.
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Saint Cloud, MN
www.stcloudstate.edu
C
Rating
90%
Acceptance
16,326
Students
# 455
Ranking
$15,686
Tuition