Program Analysis
At $29,318/yr, Ecology & Evolution graduates from Michigan State University land near the $29,875 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
Some AI exposure exists in Ecology & Evolution's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $29,318 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #26 of 64 Ecology & Evolution programs, Michigan State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $53,932 show a 84% jump from the $29,318 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.