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Ecology & Evolution at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $18,728/yr (-37% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

Job Market Large (72,700 openings/yr)

ROI 6.5x earnings multiple (2.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #52 of 64 Ecology & Evolution programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$346K	$356K	$364K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	6.3x	6.5x	6.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	1.9x	2.0x	2.0x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	49%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	21	20	19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$54,988

Out-of-state: $178,096 (2.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,052

-2% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,417

11.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $18,728/yr fall 37% below the $29,875 national median for Ecology & Evolution. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Ecology & Evolution's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,417 represents roughly 11 months of the $18,728 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #52 of 64 Ecology & Evolution programs, University of California-Los Angeles falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of California-Los Angeles

University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, one of the larger campuses at 33,040 students in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Ecology & Evolution at University of California-Los Angeles?

A score of 20/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Ecology & Evolution. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Ecology & Evolution careers?

With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $363,564 in decade earnings vs $345,772 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Ecology & Evolution from University of California-Los Angeles?

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →