Entry Level Salary
$34,000
Median Salary
$78,785
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
27.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,151,400
Entry (Early)
$34,000
Median (Prime)
$78,785
High (Prime)
$84,952
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-150k
+233k
+283k
$25k / yr
-240k
+143k
+193k
$50k / yr
-330k
+54k
+103k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
26
$25k / yr
Never
34
32
$50k / yr
Never
47
41
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-220%
132%
178%
$50k / yr
-152%
25%
48%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate36.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Biological scientists
5.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,016
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$59,652|$93,340
openings
10,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
Postsecondary teachers
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$27,012
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$42,769|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Management occupations
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,756
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,040|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Elementary and middle school teachers
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,275|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Physical scientists, all other
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,000|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,153|$80,060
openings
8,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Secondary school teachers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,234
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,000|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Project management specialists
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,444
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$86,000|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Physicians
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$64,561
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$177,013|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Registered nurses
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,656|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Undergrad Certificate | 6 | Data N/A |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Associate's Degree | 8 | Data N/A |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Bachelor's Degree | 205 | $31,382 - $65,639 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Master's Degree | 114 | $53,164 - $237,136 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Doctoral Degree | 103 | $70,373 - $185,905 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | First Professional Degree | 2 | $74,229 - $74,229 |
| ecology, evolution, systematics, and population biology. | Graduate Certificate | 13 | $91,158 - $102,199 |