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

At $25,724 a year out, UGA's ecology program earns slightly below the national median for this field, landing at the 27th percentile nationally. But here's the Georgia angle that matters: among the handful of in-state options, this sits right at the state median—meaning UGA performs comparably to other Georgia schools offering this specialized degree. The manageable debt load of $15,977 is actually a strong point, coming in well below the national median of $23,480. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62, graduates can expect to owe roughly seven-and-a-half months of their first-year salary.

The challenge here is what biology majors typically face: starting salaries that reflect entry-level positions before graduate school or career specialization. The earnings figure likely captures graduates in field technician roles, lab assistant positions, or unrelated jobs while they figure out their next move. Many students in this field pursue graduate degrees or professional programs, which could explain why initial earnings lag. For Georgia families paying in-state tuition at a flagship university, the moderate debt burden at least keeps options open for further education without crushing loan payments.

If your child is passionate about evolutionary biology and plans to pursue graduate work or specialized certification, UGA offers that path without excessive debt. But if the plan is to work immediately after the bachelor's degree, understand that starting pay will be modest—and that's fairly typical for this field nationwide, not specific to UGA.