Best colleges for Ecology in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill award the most Ecology degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 103, 40 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 North Carolina colleges offer Ecology and award 200 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…
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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,303 | 103 | 71% | — | $20,389 |
Colleges awarding the most Ecology degrees in North Carolina
Top 8 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 103 | $25,303 |
| 2 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit | 40 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 33 | Not reported |
| 4 | Warren Wilson College Swannanoa Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 5 | Wingate University Wingate Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Mars Hill University Mars Hill Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Mount Olive Mount Olive Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 8 | Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Biological Technicians (SOC 19-4021).
Top skills
What Biological Technicians earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Ecology programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Ecology degrees?+
University of North Carolina Wilmington (103 graduates a year), Duke University (40 graduates a year) and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (33 graduates a year) award the most Ecology degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 North Carolina colleges offer Ecology.
Which Ecology program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of North Carolina Wilmington tops the list at $25,303. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Biological Technicians earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Biological Technicians in North Carolina is $60,370 (median $61,720), across about 2,460 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.
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