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MASTER'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 2613

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology: is this master's degree worth it?

National picture across 23 reporting college programs.

Personal baseline needed

$84,573 in median year-4 earnings

A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.

$84,573Median year-4 earnings

$24,478Average institution net-price context

Not availableMedian federal debt

Use your actual price and alternative earnings before evaluating return. Model your own starting point →

A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

How much do Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology master's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $84,573 four years after completion across reportable master's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

A national median federal-debt figure is not reportable for this degree in the current release.

Does the college matter for Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $73,144 to $96,565 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 12 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$84,573Median reported earnings · year 4

$100,941Average reported earnings · year 5

Not availableMedian federal debt

58thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential

91IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges

23With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 2 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $50,106
Federal debt: $23,481
Reporting programs: 71

63 report earnings →CURRENT VIEW

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $84,573
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 23

23 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Doctoral Degree

Year-4 earnings: $93,831
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 8

8 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

First Professional Degree

Year-4 earnings: $74,229
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Graduate/Professional Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $96,679
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 2

2 report earnings →

COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median

25th percentile$73,144National median$84,57375th percentile$96,565

23 programs report year‑4 earnings.

DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$96,56575th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs

Not availableMedian federal debt across programs that report it

0Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median

PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

$168,833Observed year-4 earnings$59,573

University of Pennsylvania$28,699 price · $237,136 earnings University of Washington-Seattle Campus$14,091 price · $201,168 earnings Harvard University$19,066 price · $168,833 earnings Columbia University in the City of New York$21,590 price · $108,698 earnings Johns Hopkins University$18,809 price · $106,149 earnings George Washington University$36,586 price · $100,537 earnings Boston University$24,402 price · $96,565 earnings Yale University$23,777 price · $93,163 earnings Tufts University$39,998 price · $89,553 earnings Drexel University$38,509 price · $89,003 earnings Emory University$22,585 price · $88,235 earnings Coastal Carolina University$13,966 price · $84,573 earnings University of Minnesota-Twin Cities$16,778 price · $84,522 earnings University of Michigan-Ann Arbor$13,138 price · $80,316 earnings Tulane University of Louisiana$39,949 price · $77,285 earnings University of Miami$37,244 price · $73,547 earnings Texas A&M University-College Station$21,315 price · $73,144 earnings University of California, San Diego$12,470 price · $66,412 earnings Nova Southeastern University$30,371 price · $62,655 earnings Oklahoma State University-Main Campus$17,447 price · $61,509 earnings Texas State University$16,805 price · $59,573 earnings Northeastern University$30,915 price · $53,164 earnings

$13,138Annual college-wide average net price$38,509

Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →

Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

StateCollege typeMaximum federal debtSort by

23 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges

1University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$237,136Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$28,699

2University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA · PublicYear-4 earnings$201,168Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$14,091

3Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$168,833Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$19,066

4Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$108,698Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$21,590

5Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$106,149Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$18,809

6George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$100,537Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$36,586

7Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$96,565Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$24,402

8Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$93,163Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$23,777

9Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$89,553Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$39,998

10Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$89,003Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$38,509

11Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$88,235Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$22,585

12Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC · PublicYear-4 earnings$84,573Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,966

13University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$84,522Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,778

14University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI · PublicYear-4 earnings$80,316Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,138

15Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$77,285Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$39,949

16The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$74,534Federal debtNot availableAnnual net priceNot available

17University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$73,547Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$37,244

18Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$73,144Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$21,315

19University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$66,412Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,470

20Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$62,655Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$30,371

21Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK · PublicYear-4 earnings$61,509Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$17,447

22Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$59,573Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,805

23Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$53,164Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$30,915

Open the full program search →

WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1University of Pennsylvania$237,136 2University of Washington-Seattle Campus$201,168 3Harvard University$168,833 4Columbia University in the City of New York$108,698 5Johns Hopkins University$106,149 6George Washington University$100,537 7Boston University$96,565 8Yale University$93,163 9Tufts University$89,553 10Drexel University$89,003

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Higher median wage ↑

-7%Projected employment growth →21%

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Biological Scientists, All Other$98,920 median wage55,850 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1029+4.7% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.3k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$60,430–$168,010 10th–90th percentileBiological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$84,620 median wage50,190 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1042+7.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$52,150–$169,900 10th–90th percentileNatural Sciences Managers$167,220 median wage108,690 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9121+8.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 9.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$79,710–$316,850 10th–90th percentileConservation Scientists$73,010 median wage25,950 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1031+5.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$47,550–$110,410 10th–90th percentileZoologists and Wildlife Biologists$76,780 median wage18,120 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1023+3.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$49,100–$126,440 10th–90th percentileEnvironmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$94,980 median wage6,690 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1053+2.7% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$57,780–$164,190 10th–90th percentileHealth Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$107,310 median wage221,270 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1071+17.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 24.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$59,270–$322,020 10th–90th percentileLife Scientists, All Other$93,750 median wage7,460 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1099+6.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$58,670–$186,260 10th–90th percentileEpidemiologists$87,220 median wage12,090 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1041+18.7% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Master's degree$61,270–$138,800 10th–90th percentileBiological Technicians$57,510 median wage69,620 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-4021+7.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 9.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$40,330–$84,940 10th–90th percentileStatisticians$105,650 median wage29,030 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-2041+11.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Master's degree$64,000–$174,050 10th–90th percentileMedical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$103,410 median wage172,340 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-1042+12.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 10.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$64,800–$177,780 10th–90th percentile

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, SYSTEMATICS, AND POPULATION BIOLOGY

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.

#	College	Location	Earnings, year 4	Federal debt	ROI status	Cost context
1	University of PennsylvaniaMaster's Degree	Philadelphia, PA	$237,136	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$28,699
2	University of Washington-Seattle CampusMaster's Degree	Seattle, WA	$201,168	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$14,091
3	Harvard UniversityMaster's Degree	Cambridge, MA	$168,833	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$19,066
4	Columbia University in the City of New YorkMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$108,698	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$21,590
5	Johns Hopkins UniversityMaster's Degree	Baltimore, MD	$106,149	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$18,809
6	George Washington UniversityMaster's Degree	Washington, DC	$100,537	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$36,586
7	Boston UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$96,565	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$24,402
8	Yale UniversityMaster's Degree	New Haven, CT	$93,163	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$23,777
9	Tufts UniversityMaster's Degree	Medford, MA	$89,553	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$39,998
10	Drexel UniversityMaster's Degree	Philadelphia, PA	$89,003	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$38,509
11	Emory UniversityMaster's Degree	Atlanta, GA	$88,235	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$22,585
12	Coastal Carolina UniversityMaster's Degree	Conway, SC	$84,573	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$13,966
13	University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMaster's Degree	Minneapolis, MN	$84,522	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$16,778
14	University of Michigan-Ann ArborMaster's Degree	Ann Arbor, MI	$80,316	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$13,138
15	Tulane University of LouisianaMaster's Degree	New Orleans, LA	$77,285	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$39,949
16	The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonMaster's Degree	Houston, TX	$74,534	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	Not available
17	University of MiamiMaster's Degree	Coral Gables, FL	$73,547	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$37,244
18	Texas A&M University-College StationMaster's Degree	College Station, TX	$73,144	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$21,315
19	University of California, San DiegoMaster's Degree	La Jolla, CA	$66,412	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$12,470
20	Nova Southeastern UniversityMaster's Degree	Fort Lauderdale, FL	$62,655	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$30,371
21	Oklahoma State University-Main CampusMaster's Degree	Stillwater, OK	$61,509	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$17,447
22	Texas State UniversityMaster's Degree	San Marcos, TX	$59,573	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$16,805
23	Northeastern UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$53,164	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$30,915

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.