Compare 67 Ecology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $44,892. Top programs: $65,639+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Ecology tells a different story. Across 67 programs, earnings range from $52,110 to $65,639—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The right ecology program can mean the difference between a career that barely covers loans and one that leaves graduates financially ahead.
The data puts University of Maryland-College Park first, with Ecology graduates earning $65,639—well above the $44,892 average across all ranked programs. Just behind it, Cal Poly Pomona—a regional public with a 75% acceptance rate—delivers $63,525 in median earnings, nearly matching NYU despite a fraction of the selectivity. Program quality, not prestige, is doing the work here.
For families paying together, Brigham Young University leads the field: a combined family debt of $20,768 and a 7.9% family payment burden earns it an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. Princeton offers the lightest student-only burden at 3.6%—also 'Excellent'—on $10,320 in student debt. These numbers confirm that the most affordable ecology path depends on who's borrowing.
Highest program earnings: $65,639
Strong outcomes ($63,525) with 75% acceptance
3.6% payment burden | Excellent
7.9% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $65,639 | 75 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #2 | New York UniversityPrivate | $65,406 | 56 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | High |
| #3 | $63,525 | 30 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Good | |
| #4 | Connecticut CollegePrivate | $62,925 | 23 | $23,500 | Excellent | $44,488 | High |
| #5 | Princeton UniversityPrivate | $62,344 | 37 | $10,320 | Excellent | $41,000 | Challenging |
| #6 | $62,011 | 31 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $61,078 | 115 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #8 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $57,967 | 26 | $23,250 | Good | $39,000 | High |
| #9 | $55,588 | 48 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $55,159 | 31 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #11 | $55,093 | 55 | $21,500 | Good | $31,393 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $54,370 | 79 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #13 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $53,747 | 66 | $18,228 | Good | $21,400 | Challenging |
| #14 | University Of DaytonPrivate | $53,448 | 21 | $23,250 | Good | $43,810 | High |
| #15 | $53,429 | 209 | $19,500 | Good | $46,340 | High | |
| #16 | $53,126 | 63 | $20,500 | Good | $38,513 | High | |
| #17 | $52,766 | 39 | $21,500 | Good | $35,324 | High | |
| #18 | $52,701 | 135 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $52,390 | 43 | $19,500 | Good | $30,250 | Challenging | |
| #20 | University Of DelawarePublic | $52,110 | 19 | $24,572 | Good | $43,000 | High |
| #21 | Roger Williams UniversityPrivate | $51,857 | 41 | $26,940 | Manageable | $49,892 | High |
| #22 | $51,559 | 39 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #23 | $51,368 | 45 | $19,250 | Good | $23,211 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $50,694 | 63 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $50,106 | 25 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | Challenging |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
