Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,110/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (72,700 openings/yr)
ROI 22.1x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 64 Ecology & Evolution programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

This program's exceptional standing reflects its practical, regionally focused approach within Southern California's dynamic environmental sector. Your education here benefits from proximity to diverse ecosystems—coastal, mountain, and desert—which fuels consistent demand for skilled ecologists in areas like conservation, environmental consulting, and resource management. The CSU system’s emphasis on applied learning, often through local internships and field studies, directly prepares you for roles with regional government agencies, environmental firms, and non-profits. This practical foundation, combined with strong analytical skills in population biology and systematics, makes graduates highly adaptable to the evolving needs of the job market. To maximize your career trajectory, focus on developing robust quantitative skills, including GIS and statistical modeling, as these will be critical for interpreting complex data and leading projects in an increasingly data-driven field.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Ecology & Evolutionary Biology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $635K $625K $561K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.4x 22.1x 19.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.2x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 49% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,292
Out-of-state: $75,812 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$22,584
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,387
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,330
83% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Fullerton

California State University-Fullerton has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 36,956 students in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fullerton →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Statisticians $103,300/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fullerton

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Fullerton's Ecology & Evolutionary Biology program score?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology graduates.
How vulnerable is Ecology & Evolutionary Biology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ecology & Evolutionary Biology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-Fullerton rank so high for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology?
The #1 ranking out of 64 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →