Home Schools Monmouth University Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Biological Sciences · Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Rank #60 of 64

Ecology & Evolutionary Biologyat Monmouth University

Graduates earn $25,004/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Ecology & Evolutionary Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $391K; scenarios range from $390K to $384K depending on AI disruption.

West Long Branch, NJ Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
19 AT RISK
19
Optimistic
20
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,004
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$391K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Monmouth University

The path in Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology is often driven by passion, but the financial realities can be challenging without strategic planning. Many entry-level positions in this field, especially in conservation, environmental non-profits, or government agencies, are highly competitive and may offer modest initial compensation. To advance, you'll frequently need to pursue an advanced degree or gain extensive practical experience, which delays higher earning potential.

Monmouth's location in coastal New Jersey offers unique ecological study opportunities, but the regional job market for pure ecology roles can be limited. Many graduates might find themselves broadening their search into related areas like environmental consulting, data analysis for various industries, or teaching. The reported high AI risk for this field points to the increasing demand for robust data analysis and computational skills. To thrive, you must actively seek out internships with diverse employers – whether it's the NJDEP, local conservancies, or environmental firms – to build a specialized skillset and network that differentiates you in a competitive landscape.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$390K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$391K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$384K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Monmouth University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Ecology & Evolutionary Biology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
3
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
4
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$100,830/yr
Moderate
5
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
6
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

How Monmouth University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
New York University
NY · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
Top score
California State University-San Marcos
CA · Public
44
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
12.2x
ROI
Same state (NJ)
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
NJ · Public
37
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
4.7x
ROI
University of Colorado Boulder
CO · Public
39
DW Score
$37K
1-yr earn
7.4x
ROI
Also at Monmouth University

Other top programs at Monmouth University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Monmouth University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Monmouth University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Monmouth University?

A score of 19/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Monmouth University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $27,000 against $25,004/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

Will AI replace Ecology & Evolutionary Biology careers?

With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $389,551 in decade earnings vs $383,802 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Monmouth University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.