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Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,271/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (72,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #37 of 64 Ecology & Evolution programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $533K $530K $492K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.4x 9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 49% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,752
Out-of-state: $139,736 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,128
-93% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,965
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,536
88% growth from Year 1

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

With a 61% acceptance rate, University of South Carolina-Columbia is moderately selective, with 28,113 students enrolled in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia →

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

Compare this program → View all 64 schools offering Ecology & Evolutionary Biology →

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Other Schools

Princeton University ($53,038) New York University ($41,024) California State University-San Marcos ($40,875) Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($39,491) University of Colorado Boulder ($37,184) University of Maryland-College Park ($36,375) East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ($35,762) Bemidji State University ($35,521)

Other Majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,161) Chemical Engineering ($75,680) Computer Engineering ($73,982) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,872) Mechanical Engineering ($72,370) International Business ($70,992) Statistics ($69,543) Civil Engineering ($69,424)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Ecology & Evolutionary Biology careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $491,539 in decade earnings vs $533,052 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from University of South Carolina-Columbia?
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 →