Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at Florida Southern College

With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, Florida Southern's ecology program shows a starting salary of $26,616—below the national median but exactly matching Florida's state median. That 60th percentile ranking among Florida schools is somewhat misleading given the tiny sample size, but it does suggest this program isn't dramatically underperforming its in-state peers. The debt load of $23,250 is manageable relative to those first-year earnings, resulting in a ratio under 1.0, though starting at less than $27,000 means your child will need to budget carefully in those early career years.

The real question is whether this relatively low starting salary reflects the realities of entry-level ecology work (which often includes seasonal field positions and research assistant roles) or signals a program that isn't connecting graduates to better opportunities. Nova Southeastern and University of Tampa graduates in this field earn $4,500-$4,900 more right out of school, suggesting stronger outcomes are possible in Florida. However, ecology careers often build over time as graduates move from fieldwork into research, conservation management, or environmental consulting roles.

If your child is passionate about this field, the debt isn't crushing. But they should understand they're looking at several years of modest earnings while building experience, and Florida Southern isn't providing the kind of early career advantage that might justify its private school premium over state university alternatives.