Evolutionary Biology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Evolutionary Biology is a rigorous scientific discipline dedicated to understanding the mechanisms and patterns behind life’s diversity across time. It explores how organisms change genetically and morphologically, driven by natural selection, mutation, and environmental pressures, while tracing the history of life through fossil records and molecular data.
- Molecular and morphological systematics: The analysis of evolutionary relationships using genetic sequences and physical traits to classify species and reconstruct phylogenetic trees.
- Genetics and development: The study of hereditary variation and how gene expression influences organismal development and evolutionary change.
- Evolutionary transformation: Investigating the processes by which species undergo significant morphological and physiological shifts over generations.
- Paleobiology and paleontology: The scientific examination of ancient life forms through fossil evidence to understand evolutionary timelines and extinct ecosystems.
- Morphogenesis: The biological process that governs the development of form and structure in organisms during embryonic and post-embryonic stages.
- Mutation: The fundamental source of genetic variation, examined in terms of its role in driving evolutionary innovation and adaptation.
- Locomotor, biomechanical, and craniodental form and function: Analyzing how anatomical structures relate to movement, feeding, and survival in evolutionary contexts.
- Evolutionary theory: The comprehensive framework explaining how populations change over time, including natural selection, genetic drift, and speciation.
- Systematic biology: The study of biodiversity and the classification of organisms based on evolutionary relationships and shared ancestry.
Evolutionary Biology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Evolutionary Biology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Evolutionary Biology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other and Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 230,750 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 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| 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 |
Evolutionary Biology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $74,850 in Oklahoma to $131,100 in California—a 75% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 230,750 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 Evolutionary Biology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 13 institutions offering Evolutionary Biology 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 Evolutionary Biology is found at Harvard University (77 graduates), Yale University (43 graduates), George Washington University (GW) (13 graduates), Stony Brook University (SBU) (10 graduates), and University of Massachusetts, Amherst (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 176 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 | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
77 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
|
7 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Master's
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Cornell University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| College of Marin (COM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Kentfield, California | Public | marin.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Evolutionary Biology programs
How much can I earn with a Evolutionary Biology degree?
Salaries for Evolutionary Biology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Biological Scientists, All Other earn around $93,330. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $131,100 compared to $74,850 in Oklahoma. Approximately 230,750 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 Evolutionary Biology programs?
Currently 13 accredited institutions offer Evolutionary Biology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Harvard University (77 graduates), Yale University (43 graduates), and George Washington University (GW) (13 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 Evolutionary Biology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 128 in 2010 to 176 in 2023-24. This represents a 38% 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 Evolutionary Biology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other, and Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 230,750 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.
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