Compare 10 Ecology. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $36,684.
With top graduates earning $46,923, Ecology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $10K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Bemidji State University's Ecology program leads with graduates earning $46,923, followed closely by Saint Cloud State at $46,210 and Michigan State at $46,107. The average across 10 Midwest programs is $36,684, yet these regional publics cluster at the top—demonstrating that specialized program strength trumps overall institutional reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Bemidji State graduates borrow $19,750 and face just an 11.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.42.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bemidji State UniversityPublic | $46,923 | 12 | $19,750 | Good | $12,173 | Challenging |
| #2 | $46,210 | 28 | $21,058 | Manageable | $11,598 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $46,107 | 30 | $23,250 | Manageable | $37,401 | High | |
| #4 | $44,427 | 32 | $19,500 | Manageable | $25,729 | High | |
| #5 | $39,875 | 63 | $20,484 | Manageable | $28,364 | High | |
| #6 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $39,711 | 106 | $22,869 | Challenging | $25,950 | High |
| #7 | $31,865 | 47 | $19,500 | High | $30,250 | High | |
| #8 | $24,267 | 17 | $21,500 | High | $15,803 | High | |
| #9 | $23,846 | 25 | $26,188 | High | $22,488 | High | |
| #10 | University Of DaytonPrivate | $23,609 | 24 | $23,250 | High | $43,810 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
