Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at Eckerd College

The first-year earnings figure here—$21,980—ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for ecology programs, meaning 95% of similar programs deliver better immediate outcomes. While Eckerd's debt load of $27,000 sits slightly above both national and Florida medians, the real concern is that initial salary barely covers basic living expenses in the Tampa Bay area, where the cost of living runs well above the national average. Even within Florida's ecology programs, where this ranks at the 25th percentile, graduates from Nova Southeastern and University of Tampa earn roughly $9,000 more in their first year.

The 60% earnings jump to $35,078 by year four provides some optimism—that's solid growth for any field. However, you're still looking at nearly four years of financially constrained living while carrying almost a year's salary in debt. For context, Florida Southern College graduates start closer to Eckerd's year-four earnings, meaning students there reach financial stability much faster.

If your child is deeply committed to ecology and values Eckerd's marine science location and small class sizes, understand this is a passion-driven choice rather than a financial one. The program may open doors to graduate school or conservation work, but those early years will require either family support or significant belt-tightening. Comparable in-state options deliver meaningfully better financial starts without sacrificing the field of study.