Ecology & Evolutionary Biologyat University of Dayton
Graduates earn $23,609/yr in their first year — about 21.0% below the national Ecology & Evolutionary Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $384K; scenarios range from $384K to $375K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Dayton
A degree in Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at Dayton puts you in a field driven by passion, but often characterized by a challenging entry-level job market. Many foundational roles in this discipline are with non-profits, government agencies like state parks or environmental protection divisions, or academic research, which typically offer more modest starting salaries compared to private industry. In the Dayton region specifically, the ecosystem for high-paying private-sector ecological roles is less robust, meaning you'll likely face competition for fewer, often lower-compensated positions. The high AI risk also suggests that many routine data collection or analysis tasks may become automated, demanding advanced analytical or strategic thinking skills to thrive. To enhance your prospects, consider deeply integrating quantitative skills like GIS or data science, or planning for an advanced degree early on.
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 Dayton'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 Dayton stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Dayton
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Dayton, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of Dayton
How does University of Dayton's Ecology & Evolutionary Biology program score?
This program scores 18/100 — 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 are Ecology & Evolutionary Biology earnings lower at University of Dayton?
Lower starting pay at University of Dayton may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.