Massachusetts · Ecology

Best colleges for Ecology in Massachusetts

Ranked by graduate earnings

Boston University, Harvard University and Tufts University award the most Ecology degrees and certificates in Massachusetts: 246, 229 and 78 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Massachusetts colleges offer Ecology and award 663 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Ecology program, formally known as Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology, is a comprehensive study within the Biological and Biomedical Sciences field. This program is designed for students interested in understanding…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 26.13
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
663
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$31,999
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,956
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
82%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Biological Technicians
$67,420
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Harvard University
Cambridge Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,99922998%$15,013—

Colleges awarding the most Ecology degrees in Massachusetts

Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Boston University
Boston Private not-for-profit
246Not reported
2Harvard University
Cambridge Private not-for-profit
229$31,999
3Tufts University
Medford Private not-for-profit
78Not reported
4Northeastern University
Boston Private not-for-profit
53Not reported
5University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst Public
29Not reported
6University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell Public
21Not reported
7University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth Public
7Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Biological Technicians (SOC 19-4021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.5%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~9,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$52,000
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingScienceActive ListeningActive LearningWriting

What Biological Technicians earn in Massachusetts

Jobs in Massachusetts
8,430
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$67,420
median $62,070
Best-paying metro
$68,590
Worcester, MA

Related careers

Biological Technicians
$67,420 avg · 8,430 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$122,930 avg · 2,930 jobs
Statisticians
$114,210 avg · 2,480 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Ecology programs in Massachusetts.

Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Ecology degrees?+

Boston University (246 graduates a year), Harvard University (229 graduates a year) and Tufts University (78 graduates a year) award the most Ecology degrees and certificates in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Massachusetts colleges offer Ecology.

Which Ecology program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Harvard University tops the list at $31,999. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Biological Technicians earn in Massachusetts?+

The average annual wage for Biological Technicians in Massachusetts is $67,420 (median $62,070), across about 8,430 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Ecology program?+

The Ecology program, formally known as Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology, is a comprehensive study within the Biological and Biomedical Sciences field. This program is designed for students interested in understanding…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, science, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Biological Technicians?+

The national job outlook is about +3.5% growth with around 9,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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