Best institutions to study Evolutionary Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the genetic, developmental, functional, and morphological patterns and processes, and theoretical principles; and the emergence and mutation of organisms over time.
14 U.S. institutions graduated 192 Evolutionary Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1303, a specialization of Ecology (CIP 26.13), and leads most directly to the Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1023).
About Evolutionary Biology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the genetic, developmental, functional, and morphological patterns and processes, and theoretical principles; and the emergence and mutation of organisms over time. Includes instruction in molecular and morphological systematics; genetics and development; evolutionary transformation; paleobiology and paleontology; morphogenesis; mutation; locomotor, biomechanical and craniodental form and function; evolutionary theory; and systematic biology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Evolutionary Biology program, a specialization within Ecology, focuses on the scientific study of the genetic, developmental, functional, and morphological aspects of organisms over time. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the principles of evolution, mutation, and the diversity of life forms through various scientific lenses, including genetics and paleobiology.
Students will gain core skills in critical thinking, science, and writing, alongside knowledge in biology, mathematics, and geography. Coursework often includes molecular and morphological systematics, evolutionary theory, and the study of organismal adaptations and transformations.
Credentials awarded
What Evolutionary Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree108 graduates / yr · 4 institutions56%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship38 graduates / yr · 9 institutions20%
- Master's degree36 graduates / yr · 6 institutions19%
- Award of less than 12 weeks9 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Evolutionary Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 148 |
| 2014 | 172 |
| 2015 | 146 |
| 2016 | 162 |
| 2017 | 167 |
| 2018 | 158 |
| 2019 | 181 |
| 2020 | 154 |
| 2021 | 135 |
| 2022 | 197 |
| 2023 | 171 |
| 2024 | 166 |
| 2025 | 192 |
Top 14 institutions for Evolutionary Biology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 79 | 98% | $15,013 | $31,999 |
| 2 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 3 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 68% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 83% | — | — |
| 6 | Norco College Norco, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 9 | 42% | — | — |
| 7 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 8 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 76% | — | — |
| 9 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 76% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 11 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 76% | — | $22,725 |
| 12 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 13 | College of Marin Kentfield, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 39% | — | — |
| 14 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ecology field (CIP 26.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 7 states
Where Evolutionary Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Ecology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2 | 88 | Harvard University79 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 38 | Yale University38 / yr |
| California | 5 | 21 | Norco College9 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 17 | George Washington University17 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 14 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion14 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 10 | Columbia University in the City of New York5 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 4 | University of Chicago4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1023, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Evolutionary Biology program can pursue careers as zoologists, wildlife biologists, or biological science teachers, among others. The job outlook in this field shows little to no change, with an estimated 1,400 annual openings and a median wage of $72,860, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1303
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistsprimary SOC 19-1023 | $76,780 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~1,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Evolutionary Biology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
- Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
Tools and technology used
Other Ecology specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ecology (CIP 26.13).
- EpidemiologyCIP 26.13093,001 graduates / yr102 institutions
- Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyCIP 26.13022,636 graduates / yr84 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.13011,166 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1310879 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Environmental BiologyCIP 26.1305481 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Conservation BiologyCIP 26.1307405 graduates / yr37 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.1399344 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Epidemiology and BiostatisticsCIP 26.1311248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Aquatic Biology/CIP 26.1304
Limnology partial data126 graduates / yr9 institutions - Systematic Biology/CIP 26.1308
Biological Systematics limited data24 graduates / yr2 institutions - Population BiologyCIP 26.1306partial data10 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Evolutionary Biology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, writing, and active learning.
What are common careers for graduates?+
Common careers include zoologists, wildlife biologists, and biological science teachers.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with a median wage of $72,860.
What is the CIP code for Evolutionary Biology?+
Evolutionary Biology is CIP 26.1303 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ecology (CIP 26.13). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the genetic, developmental, functional, and morphological patterns and processes, and theoretical principles; and the emergence and mutation of organisms over time. Includes instruction in molecular and morphological systematics; genetics and development; evolutionary transformation; paleobiology and paleontology; morphogenesis; mutation; locomotor, biomechanical and craniodental form and function; evolutionary theory; and systematic biology.
How many institutions offer Evolutionary Biology programs?+
14 U.S. institutions reported Evolutionary Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 192 credentials in the year. That is 2.0% of all Ecology graduates.
How much do Evolutionary Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation, which Evolutionary Biology most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,780 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ecology field report median earnings of $31,999 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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