Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at Monmouth University

Monmouth's ecology program graduates earn $25,004 in their first year—roughly $9,000 below the New Jersey median for this field and $4,500 under the national average. Among the six New Jersey schools offering this program, Monmouth ranks near the bottom (25th percentile), with graduates earning less than half of what Princeton ecology majors make and about 60% of what Rutgers graduates earn. This is particularly concerning given that many biology-related programs see earnings grow substantially with experience, but starting this far behind puts graduates at a significant disadvantage.

The $27,000 debt load itself is reasonable—it matches the state median and falls in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning very few programs have lower debt. However, when paired with such limited first-year earnings, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.08 means graduates face more than a full year's salary in debt. That's manageable on paper but tight in practice, especially in New Jersey's high cost-of-living environment.

The small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. If your child is genuinely committed to this specific field, they should investigate what happens to Monmouth graduates after year one and seriously consider whether starting at a community college or attending Rutgers (which costs less for in-state students and delivers 58% higher earnings) makes more financial sense.