Ecology & Evolution at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,303/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (72,700 openings/yr)
ROI 16.8x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #28 of 64 Ecology & Evolution programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $491K $491K $463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.8x 16.8x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.3x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 49% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,268
Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,888
-166% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,738
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of North Carolina Wilmington's Ecology & Evolution graduates start at $25,303/yr, trailing the $29,875 national average by 15%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 16.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,500 debt-to-$25,303 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #28 out of 64 programs, University of North Carolina Wilmington's Ecology & Evolution offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $25,303 to $42,738 over five years (69% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of North Carolina Wilmington

A 74% acceptance rate means University of North Carolina Wilmington is accessible to most applicants, serving 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington →

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

Ecology & Evolution at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of North Carolina Wilmington's Ecology & Evolution program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Ecology & Evolution. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Ecology & Evolution to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ecology & Evolution careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Ecology & Evolution earnings lower at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Lower starting pay at University of North Carolina Wilmington may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →