Ecology & Evolutionary Biologyat University of Colorado Boulder
Graduates earn $37,184/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Ecology & Evolutionary Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $550K; scenarios range from $506K to $554K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Colorado Boulder
This program at CU Boulder clearly prepares graduates for competitive roles, reflecting strong regional demand and the university’s robust research environment. Situated amidst diverse ecosystems, you'll benefit from Boulder's unique concentration of federal research labs, environmental consulting firms, and conservation non-profits. This rich local market provides unparalleled internship and entry-level opportunities, often in roles requiring sophisticated data analysis, field research, and policy interpretation. You'll likely find yourself in positions blending scientific rigor with practical application, working with agencies like the EPA, National Park Service, or leading environmental consultancies. To maximize your prospects, actively seek out research assistantships and internships. Developing strong quantitative skills alongside hands-on field experience and communication abilities will be crucial for navigating career paths and future-proofing your expertise.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Colorado Boulder's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
How University of Colorado Boulder stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Colorado Boulder
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Colorado Boulder, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of Colorado Boulder
How does University of Colorado Boulder's Ecology & Evolutionary Biology program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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.
Why does University of Colorado Boulder rank so high for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology?
The #8 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.