Home Schools Princeton University Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Biological Sciences · Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Rank #5 of 64

Ecology & Evolutionary Biologyat Princeton University

Graduates earn $53,038/yr in their first year — about 78.0% above the national Ecology & Evolutionary Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $549K; scenarios range from $506K to $554K depending on AI disruption.

Princeton, NJ Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
40 AVERAGE
40
Optimistic
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,038
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$549K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Princeton University

Princeton's exceptional reputation and rigorous academic environment mean your degree in Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology signals top-tier analytical and research capabilities. While direct field ecology roles exist, many graduates leverage these highly transferable skills, alongside the powerful alumni network, to pursue advanced degrees or pivot into leadership positions across diverse sectors. You'll find paths in biotech, pharmaceuticals, environmental consulting, or even quantitative roles in finance, where your problem-solving abilities are highly valued. The focus on systematics and population biology provides a strong foundation for data analysis and complex modeling, making you adaptable to evolving industry demands, including those impacted by AI. Your success here stems from the institution's brand opening doors and the deep critical thinking you'll develop. Actively engage with Princeton’s career services and alumni network to explore the full, often interdisciplinary, spectrum of high-impact careers open to you.

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
$506K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score35/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$549K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$554K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Princeton 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 Princeton University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
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
University of Maryland-College Park
MD · Public
42
DW Score
$36K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Also at Princeton University

Other top programs at Princeton University

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

FAQ

Frequently asked about Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University

How does Princeton University's Ecology & Evolutionary Biology program score?

This program scores 40/100 — 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.

How affordable is Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University after financial aid?

Sticker price is $238,840, but the average net cost is $42,220 — a 82% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.