Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at University of Connecticut

UConn's ecology and evolutionary biology program outperforms most similar programs nationally, ranking in the 72nd percentile for earnings while keeping debt well below typical levels. Starting at $33,000 may feel modest, but that's actually $3,400 above the national median for this field—and the debt load of $27,000 represents excellent value for a flagship state university education. The 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically manage their loans, even in a field that doesn't lead to immediate high salaries.

The 17% earnings growth to $38,000 by year four suggests graduates are finding their footing, though this remains a field where passion needs to align with financial expectations. Many ecology majors pursue graduate school or shift into related fields like environmental consulting or data analysis, which could explain the upward trajectory. Within Connecticut, this program performs at the median, but that's partly because UConn dominates the state's offerings in this specialized major.

For families comfortable with a career path that prioritizes scientific work over maximizing income, this represents a solid choice. The combination of strong academics (SAT scores above 1300), reasonable debt, and above-average outcomes for the field makes it a defensible investment—just ensure your student understands they're choosing discovery over dollars.