Ecology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Ecology is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the intricate relationships between living organisms and their environments. It explores how biological systems function across scales—from individual species to entire ecosystems—within the context of physical, chemical, and environmental influences. This program equips students with the analytical and scientific frameworks needed to investigate ecological processes and address pressing environmental challenges.
- Biogeochemistry: The study of how chemical elements and compounds cycle through living and non-living components of ecosystems, influencing nutrient availability and environmental health.
- Landscape and marine/aquatic dynamics: Examination of spatial patterns and processes shaping terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments, including connectivity, fragmentation, and habitat distribution.
- Decomposition: Investigation into the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms and its critical role in nutrient recycling and energy flow within ecosystems.
- Global and regional elemental budgets: Quantitative analysis of element fluxes across ecosystems to assess environmental sustainability and human impacts.
- Biotic and abiotic regulation of nutrient cycles: Study of how living organisms and physical environmental factors jointly control the movement and transformation of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Ecophysiology: The physiological responses of organisms to environmental conditions, revealing how species adapt to stress, temperature, moisture, and other ecological factors.
- Ecosystem resilience, disturbance, and succession: Analysis of how ecosystems recover from disruptions such as fire or human activity, and how communities change over time.
- Community and habitat dynamics: Exploration of species interactions and spatial organization within habitats, and how these shape biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
- Organismal interactions: In-depth study of co-evolution, competition, predation, and mutualism that drive evolutionary and ecological change.
- Paleoecology: Reconstruction of past ecological conditions using fossil and geological records to understand long-term environmental change.
- Evolutionary ecology: The integration of evolutionary theory with ecological principles to explain the adaptive strategies of species in their natural environments.
Ecology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Ecology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Ecology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary and Biological Scientists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 264,970 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1043 | $100,830 | $58,670 - $154,630 | 1,310 | N/A |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Life Scientists, All Other 19-1099 | $87,800 | $52,360 - $168,860 | 7,320 | $42.21 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 19-1023 | $72,860 | $48,240 - $113,350 | 16,920 | $35.03 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
Salary Comparison
Ecology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $70,736 in Florida to $124,058 in District of Columbia—a 75% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 264,970 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Ecology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 67 institutions offering Ecology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Ecology is found at University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (112 graduates), Utah State University (USU) (104 graduates), Iowa State University (ISU) (95 graduates), University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (71 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (63 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,201 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
112 |
SAT: 1370-1520 ACT: 32-35 |
College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
104 |
SAT: 1060-1300 ACT: 20-28 |
Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
95 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
|
71 | N/A | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
63 |
SAT: 1140-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
59 |
SAT: 1030-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
|
56 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
53 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
53 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 19-27 |
Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | N/A | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
28 | N/A | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Connecticut College (Conn) |
Bachelor's
|
25 |
SAT: 1340-1470 ACT: 31-33 |
New London, Connecticut | Private | conncoll.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
24 | N/A | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
17 | ACT: 23-28 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
16 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
15 | N/A | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 860-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
14 |
SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 28-33 |
Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14 |
SAT: 1220-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1050-1270 ACT: 19-28 |
Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
12 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| The University of Montana (UMW) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | N/A | Dillon, Montana | Public | umwestern.edu |
| Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 940-1210 ACT: 25-31 |
Nampa, Idaho | Private | nnu.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
9 |
SAT: 1490-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1240-1410 ACT: 29-32 |
Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Western Colorado University |
Master's
|
8 |
SAT: 1000-1240 ACT: 21-28 |
Gunnison, Colorado | Public | western.edu |
| Le Moyne College |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 25-31 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | lemoyne.edu |
| Saint Vincent College |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 993-1231 ACT: 21-25 |
Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Private | stvincent.edu |
| Susquehanna University |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1090-1290 ACT: 22-31 |
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania | Private | susqu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1190-1340 ACT: 25-31 |
Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Doctorate (R)
|
8 | N/A | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1120-1330 ACT: 25-31 |
Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Sterling College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | N/A | Craftsbury Common, Vermont | Private | sterlingcollege.edu |
| Seattle Pacific University (SPU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1050-1320 ACT: 20-28 |
Seattle, Washington | Private | spu.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | SAT: 1100-1270 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
6 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 1200-1360 ACT: 27-31 |
Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
5 | N/A | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| College of the Ozarks (C of O) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1063-1305 ACT: 20-25 |
Point Lookout, Missouri | Private | cofo.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 19-26 |
Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| Colorado Mountain College (CMC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Glenwood Springs, Colorado | Public | coloradomtn.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-32 |
Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Northern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | ACT: 18-24 | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Public | northern.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
3 | N/A | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
3 |
SAT: 1370-1530 ACT: 30-34 |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1100-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | N/A | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Franklin College |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1020-1200 ACT: 21-27 |
Franklin, Indiana | Private | franklincollege.edu |
| Hampshire College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | N/A | Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | hampshire.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 885-1110 ACT: 17-24 |
Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Cornell University |
Doctorate (R)
|
2 |
SAT: 1480-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Master's
|
2 | SAT: 960-1190 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 950-1200 ACT: 20-29 |
Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Harlem, Montana | Public | ancollege.edu |
| Molloy College |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1080-1310 ACT: 24-29 |
Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| Kent State University |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 |
SAT: 1000-1230 ACT: 18-25 |
Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Christian Brothers University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1040-1300 ACT: 18-23 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Private | cbu.edu |
| Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 910-1200 ACT: 17-25 |
Keene, Texas | Private | swau.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 |
SAT: 1110-1290 ACT: 22-27 |
Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Ecology programs
How much can I earn with a Ecology degree?
Salaries for Ecology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $100,830. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $124,058 compared to $70,736 in Florida. Approximately 264,970 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Ecology programs?
Currently 67 accredited institutions offer Ecology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (112 graduates), Utah State University (USU) (104 graduates), and Iowa State University (ISU) (95 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Ecology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 960 in 2010 to 1,201 in 2023-24. This represents a 25% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Ecology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, and Biological Scientists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 264,970 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Biological Sciences Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Biological Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Biomathematics and Computational Biology
Any instructional program in biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology not listed above.
Biotechnology
A program that focuses on the application of the biological sciences, biochemistry, and genetics to the preparation of new and enhanced agricultural, environmental,...
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting oceans, coastal waters, and...
Evolutionary Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the genetic, developmental, functional, and morphological patterns and processes, and theoretical principles; and the...
Aquatic Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting inland fresh waters such...
Environmental Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the origins, functions, relationships, interactions, and natural history of living populations, communities, species, and...
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.