Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology explores the complex relationships between living organisms and their environments, as well as the processes driving biodiversity over time. This interdisciplinary field investigates how species adapt, diversify, and interact within ecosystems, grounded in principles of evolutionary theory, population dynamics, and ecological systems.
- Evolutionary Theory: Examines the mechanisms of genetic change across generations, including natural selection, genetic drift, and speciation, to understand the origins and diversification of life.
- Population Ecology: Focuses on the size, density, and distribution of species populations, analyzing factors that influence growth, decline, and stability in natural settings.
- Community Ecology: Studies interactions among multiple species within shared habitats, including competition, predation, mutualism, and succession patterns.
- Ecosystem Dynamics: Investigates the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients through biological and physical components of ecosystems, emphasizing sustainability and resilience.
- Systematics and Phylogenetics: Applies taxonomic and molecular techniques to classify organisms and reconstruct evolutionary relationships using genetic and morphological data.
- Conservation Biology: Addresses threats to biodiversity through research on habitat loss, climate change impacts, invasive species, and strategies for species and ecosystem preservation.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Ecology and Evolutionary Biology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other and Life 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 253,870 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 |
| Life Scientists, All Other 19-1099 | $87,800 | $52,360 - $168,860 | 7,320 | $42.21 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1053 | $87,710 | $50,670 - $164,290 | 7,130 | N/A |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $69,216 in Louisiana to $126,977 in California—a 83% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 253,870 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 and Evolutionary Biology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Ecology and 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 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is found at Brigham Young University (BYU) (119 graduates), University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (54 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (47 graduates), University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (25 graduates), and University of Nevada (UNR), Reno (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 311 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
119 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Pitzer College (PZ) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Claremont, California | Private | pitzer.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Life University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marietta, Georgia | Private | life.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Ecology and Evolutionary Biology programs
How much can I earn with a Ecology and Evolutionary Biology degree?
Salaries for Ecology and 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 $126,977 compared to $69,216 in Louisiana. Approximately 253,870 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 and Evolutionary Biology programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Ecology and Evolutionary Biology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Brigham Young University (BYU) (119 graduates), University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (54 graduates), and University of California (UCSD), San Diego (47 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 and Evolutionary Biology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 192 in 2010 to 311 in 2023-24. This represents a 62% 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 and Evolutionary Biology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Scientists, All Other, and Life Scientists, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 253,870 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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