Compare 20 Ecology. programs in the South. Average earnings: $32,760.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Ecology tells a different story. Across 20 programs, earnings range from $17,511 to $50,284—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Maryland-College Park's Ecology program leads with graduates earning $50,284, well above the $32,760 average across all Southern programs. The University of Tampa follows at $40,973, while UNC Wilmington reaches $39,757—proof that program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Maryland-College Park graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 9.4% 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 0.38.
Highest program earnings: $50,284
Strong outcomes ($39,757) with 74% acceptance
9.4% payment burden | Good
29.4% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $50,284 | 96 | $19,000 | Good | $35,200 | High | |
| #2 | The University Of TampaPrivate | $40,973 | 46 | $24,211 | Challenging | $53,549 | High |
| #3 | $39,757 | 84 | $19,500 | Manageable | $22,737 | High | |
| #4 | College Of CharlestonPublic | $39,696 | 29 | $23,250 | Challenging | $35,971 | High |
| #5 | $37,752 | 54 | $21,500 | Challenging | $31,393 | High | |
| #6 | $36,746 | 118 | $17,804 | Manageable | $32,258 | High | |
| #7 | $35,413 | 132 | $23,750 | High | $35,414 | High | |
| #8 | Eckerd CollegePrivate | $35,078 | 69 | $27,000 | High | $52,772 | High |
| #9 | $34,508 | 17 | $27,000 | High | $29,276 | High | |
| #10 | Wingate UniversityPrivate | $33,993 | 11 | $25,000 | High | $27,506 | High |
| #11 | University Of DelawarePublic | $33,296 | 21 | $24,572 | High | $43,000 | High |
| #12 | Nova Southeastern UniversityPrivate | $31,114 | 37 | $24,250 | High | $21,738 | High |
| #13 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $29,857 | 55 | $17,500 | High | $37,267 | High |
| #14 | $28,681 | 42 | $19,250 | High | $23,211 | High | |
| #15 | $28,560 | 26 | $16,624 | High | $12,269 | High | |
| #16 | Stetson UniversityPrivate | $28,195 | 14 | $23,250 | High | $48,703 | High |
| #17 | Florida Southern CollegePrivate | $26,616 | 25 | $25,000 | High | $33,294 | High |
| #18 | $26,353 | 59 | $20,500 | High | $38,513 | High | |
| #19 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $20,824 | 46 | $18,500 | High | $20,855 | High |
| #20 | $17,511 | 19 | $22,750 | High | $48,666 | 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 →
