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.
This page covers Zoology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Biology and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Zoology is a focused area of study within Biology. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $44,055 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 118 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 3,246 students complete it each year, most walking away with 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?
Four years after finishing Zoology, a typical graduate earns $44,055, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $32,942 and $58,785, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $28,461 at one year out to $44,055 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
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
Not every Zoology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. 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.
$32,94225th pct.
$44,055Median
$58,78575th 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's81%
Master's10%
Doctorate7%
What Can You Do With a Zoology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Zoology graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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.
Complex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeaking
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.
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
Not sure where to study Zoology? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Zoology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Biology Programs
Zoology is not the only path through Biology: 14 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
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.
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 growthMedian earnings climb from $28,461 at graduation to $44,055 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 24,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Below-average earningsFour-year median of $44,055 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Licensure often requiredMost 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 expectedTop 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 varianceGap 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?
$44,055 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $32,942 and $58,785, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Zoology degree?
$28,461 in the first year out. That grows to $44,055 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Zoology degree?
Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Zoology program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Zoology bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Zoology?
118 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Zoology degree worth it?
$44,055 median earnings four years out against $19,104 a year in average net price. That is a slow payback, so cost matters more than usual here: a cheaper school changes the answer. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Zoology and Biology?
Zoology is the narrower of the two: Biology covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Zoology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Zoology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Zoology graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Zoology graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Zoology graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +6.6% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Natural Sciences Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +8.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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