Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,842/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk
High (46% exposed)
Job Market
Large (72,700 openings/yr)
ROI
11.8x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
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 | $497K | $497K | $467K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.8x | 11.8x | 11.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.5x | 4.5x | 4.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 53% | 49% | 36% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 31 | 30 | 31 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,407
52% growth from Year 1
About Iowa State University
With 89% of applicants admitted, Iowa State University prioritizes broad access, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →Top Career Paths
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Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Iowa State University's Ecology & Evolutionary Biology program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →