Ecology & Evolutionary Biologyat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Graduates earn $22,844/yr in their first year — about 24.0% below the national Ecology & Evolutionary Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $458K; scenarios range from $438K to $455K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Michigan
Studying Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at a research powerhouse like the University of Michigan provides an exceptional foundation in scientific inquiry. Your early career earnings reflect a common trajectory in these fundamental sciences, where many graduates pursue advanced degrees (Master's or PhD) to qualify for the higher-paying roles listed, such as academic positions or natural sciences management. Entry-level roles often involve fieldwork, lab technician positions, or environmental consulting, which, while crucial, start modestly.
The program's rigorous training prepares you for deep analytical work, which explains the "high AI risk" designation; many ecological tasks now involve complex data modeling and computational analysis that AI can augment. You'll find opportunities with state and federal agencies, environmental non-profits, and research institutions, often benefiting from UMich's extensive alumni network and research connections. To maximize your financial outlook, actively seek out internships in applied settings and network within specific sub-fields like bioinformatics or conservation technology, which blend scientific understanding with high-demand technical skills.
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 Michigan'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 Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Michigan
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of Michigan
How does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Ecology & Evolutionary Biology program score?
This program scores 19/100 — 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor?
Lower starting pay at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.