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Zoology

Zoology graduates earn $44,055 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,942 and $58,785. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Zoology

Zoology is a focused area of study within Biology. Graduates typically earn around $44,055 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 118 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 3,246 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $28,461
Median Earnings · 4yr: $44,055
Colleges Offering: 118
Graduates / Year: 3,246
Avg Net Price / yr: $19,104

How Much Do Zoology Graduates Earn?

Zoology graduates earn $44,055 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,942 and $58,785. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $28,461 climbs to $44,055 by year four.

$28,461

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$44,055

4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

$44,201

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Zoology graduates. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.

$32,942 25th pct.

$44,055 Median

$58,785 75th pct.

Understanding the Cost vs. Return

At median 4-year earnings of $44,055 and an estimated $76,416 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 5.4 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 104 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 3,246 students who complete Zoology programs each year, the majority (81%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

81%

Bachelor's 81%

Master's 10%

Doctorate 7%

What Can You Do With a Zoology Degree?

Zoology connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +3.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,220

$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 8,500 openings/yr 109K employed nationally

Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

↗ +7.3% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Biological Science Teachers

$84,620

$64K $127K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 5,400 openings/yr 50K employed nationally

Speaking Learning Strategies Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as molecular biology, marine biology, and botany.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.

↗ +1.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist

$76,780

$61K $96K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 1,400 openings/yr 18K employed nationally

Complex Problem Solving Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

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.

↗ +3.5% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Biological Technician

$57,510

$48K $72K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 9,100 openings/yr 70K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Science Active Listening Active Learning

Day-to-day responsibilities

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.

Top Colleges for Zoology

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Zoology students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO · Public	262	88.5%	$21,279	$60,543
2	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK · Public	232	76.6%	$15,300	$63,126
3	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH · Public	159	85%	$21,637	$52,581
4	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	129	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253
5	University of Connecticut Storrs, CT · Public	125	52.4%	$25,097	$73,997
6	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public	121	60.6%	$17,339	$60,409
7	University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public	117	24.2%	$6,541	$71,588
8	University of California-Davis Davis, CA · Public	112	41.8%	$14,741	$80,838
9	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public	91	45.2%	$17,354	$73,792
10	University of Wyoming Laramie, WY · Public	91	96.9%	$13,599	$56,880
11	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, OK · Public	82	75%	$17,447	$57,413
12	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public	71	41.7%	$17,303	$68,758
13	Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public	68	77.3%	$19,604	$64,010
14	Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FL · Nonprofit	62	75.8%	$38,071	$51,819
15	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL · Public	60	86.9%	$13,297	$53,390
16	University of Vermont Burlington, VT · Public	58	65.3%	$19,343	$62,472
17	Texas State University San Marcos, TX · Public	57	89.3%	$16,805	$56,906
18	Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public	56	57.4%	$21,315	$72,097
19	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH · Public	54	75.4%	$28,384	$55,076
20	Canisius University Buffalo, NY · Nonprofit	51	72.4%	$17,940	$60,681

View all colleges

Ranked by Zoology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Zoology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Zoology degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Zoology Degree: Pros & Cons

Zoology carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 3 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $28,461 at graduation to $44,055 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.3% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 24,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Below-average earnings Four-year median of $44,055 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Licensure often required Most roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($32,942) and 75th ($58,785) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Zoology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Zoology graduates earn?

Zoology graduates earn a national median of $44,055 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,942 and $58,785. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Zoology degree?

One year after graduation, Zoology degree holders earn a median of $28,461. That climbs to $44,055 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Zoology degree?

Zoology degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Zoology program take?

A Zoology bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Zoology?

118 colleges and universities in the United States offer Zoology programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Zoology degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $44,055 and an average net price of roughly $19,104/yr, a Zoology degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Zoology and Biology?

Zoology is a focused concentration within the broader Biology field. The Biology major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Zoology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Zoology graduates?

Employers hiring Zoology graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.

Is graduate school worth it for Zoology graduates?

In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Zoology graduates?

The job outlook for Zoology graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Biological Science Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +7.3%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.