Best colleges for Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, California State University-Chico leads: its Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology graduates earn a median $64,274 four years after finishing, against the field's $48,842 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University-Chico | $64,274 | +$15,432 |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $63,525 | +$14,683 |
| 3 | University of California-Davis | $62,011 | +$13,169 |
| 4 | California State University-Northridge | $59,940 | +$11,098 |
| 5 | California State University-Long Beach | $55,588 | +$6,746 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology?
By graduate earnings, California State University-Chico — its Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology bachelor's graduates earn a median $64,274 four years out, the highest of the 5 California programs in the federal file.
What do Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $55,588 to $64,274. The field's national median is $48,842.
Is a Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology graduates earn $482/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.