Zoology/Animal Biology: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn a median $44,055 four years after finishing — at or below the $48,360 high-school baseline, so on national medians the degree does not clear a typical bill on earnings alone. Where you study and the specific role matter more here than the field average. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Zoology/Animal Biology ranks #192 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 5% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Connecticut | CT | $69,471 |
| 2 | University of Connecticut-Stamford | CT | $69,471 |
| 3 | University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus | CT | $69,471 |
| 4 | Brigham Young University | UT | $57,020 |
| 5 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | OK | $55,682 |
| 6 | Ohio University-Main Campus | OH | $55,352 |
| 7 | Tarleton State University | TX | $54,030 |
| 8 | University of California-Santa Barbara | CA | $53,727 |
| 9 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | ND | $50,701 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | WI | $50,080 |
| 11 | Weber State University | UT | $49,480 |
| 12 | Berry College | GA | $48,958 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.