Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder's ecology program delivers something rare: graduates earn 26% more than the national median for this field, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. That $37,184 first-year salary jumps to over $44,000 by year four—solid upward momentum for a biology-focused degree that often struggles with early-career earnings.

The Colorado picture is less dramatic but still favorable. Among the five schools offering this program in-state, Boulder sits just above the state median and slightly ahead of CSU Fort Collins. The $23,331 debt load is typical for the field and manageable given the earnings trajectory—you're looking at roughly seven months of gross income to cover the full debt amount. That 19% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are gaining traction in their careers, whether they're moving into research positions, environmental consulting, or graduate programs.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: this isn't a high-earning field, period. But if your student is committed to ecology or evolutionary biology, Boulder offers one of the strongest financial outcomes in the country. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings makes this one of the safer bets in a field where many programs leave graduates struggling with entry-level nonprofit salaries. Just understand that "strong for the field" still means starting around $37,000—biology careers typically require either advancing to specialized roles or pursuing graduate education for substantially higher pay.