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

Biology degrees face a harsh reality: starting salaries rarely justify the investment. At University of Idaho, ecology graduates earn $31,656 their first year—about $2,200 above the national median for this program, but still barely above poverty wages for a four-year degree. The relative bright spot is debt: at $19,375, graduates owe roughly $4,000 less than the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 that's actually manageable compared to many life science programs.

The problem is what this degree prepares students for. These programs typically lead to field technician or lab assistant positions that don't require specialized bachelor's credentials, which explains why even "above average" performance means earning in the low $30,000s. Idaho has only three schools offering this specific major, so in-state comparisons are limited, but the pattern holds: this is a field where passion must substantially outweigh financial considerations.

For families expecting a typical return on a four-year degree investment, this is difficult math. If your child is genuinely committed to ecology or conservation work and understands they may need graduate school for career advancement, the moderate debt load here won't be crippling. But if they're exploring science options more broadly, engineering or computer science programs offer dramatically better financial trajectories. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) also means individual outcomes vary widely—success depends heavily on securing internships and making the right connections in a competitive field.