Ecology & Evolutionary Biologyat University of Maryland-College Park
Graduates earn $36,375/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national Ecology & Evolutionary Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $550K; scenarios range from $506K to $555K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Maryland-College Park
Your UMD degree places you squarely in a rich ecosystem of federal agencies like NOAA, EPA, and USDA, alongside renowned research institutions and numerous environmental non-profits in the DC metro area. This unique geographic advantage significantly drives the program's strong career outcomes, as employers actively recruit graduates for roles spanning conservation, data analysis, and scientific management. The program's rigorous research focus and interdisciplinary opportunities prepare you for diverse paths, from contributing to policy at a federal level to leading field research. While some routine analytical tasks in this field face automation risk, UMD's emphasis on critical thinking and research methodology prepares you for the higher-level roles listed, such as management or advanced research, which are less susceptible. Proactively seek internships with these regional institutions; those connections are pivotal for securing positions that capitalize on the area's unique opportunities.
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 Maryland-College Park'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 Maryland-College Park stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Maryland-College Park
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maryland-College Park, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of Maryland-College Park
What does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of Maryland-College Park?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Ecology & Evolutionary Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of Maryland-College Park?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Maryland-College Park one of the best schools for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology?
Among 64 Ecology & Evolutionary Biology programs, University of Maryland-College Park's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.