Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at Brigham Young University

The first year after graduation looks rough—$24,143 puts BYU's ecology program in just the 15th percentile nationally—but that's only part of the story. By year four, earnings more than double to $50,091, ultimately surpassing both the national median ($29,460) and landing at the 70th percentile for similar programs nationwide. This dramatic trajectory suggests many graduates pursue graduate school or field positions before transitioning into better-paying roles in conservation, research, or environmental consulting.

The debt picture provides crucial cushioning for that rocky start. At $10,459, BYU graduates carry less than half the typical debt load for this field ($23,480 nationally), which means even during that challenging first year, loan payments remain manageable. This is the only other ecology program in Utah besides what appears to be a similar offering, so state comparisons are limited, but the combination of low debt and strong eventual earnings addresses the typical concern with biology-adjacent degrees: being crushed by student loans while earning entry-level wages.

For families comfortable with a longer runway to financial stability, this program works. The delayed payoff means graduates need either family support, additional income sources, or tolerance for tight budgets in their early twenties. But the debt load won't trap them, and the earnings trajectory suggests the degree opens doors—just not immediately after commencement.