Zoology/Animal Biology: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 54 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$258,317 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−103%Modeled 10-year ROI
$44,201Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$44,201Median reported earnings · year 4
$50,536Average reported earnings · year 5
$24,393Median federal debt
9thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
54Reporting programs
52With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $34,635
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $44,201
- Federal debt
- $24,393
- Reporting programs
- 54
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $73,457
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $87,716
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$41,103National median$44,20175th percentile$54,030
52 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
54 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,471Federal debt$23,750Annual net price$25,0972University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusWaterbury, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,471Federal debt$23,750Annual net price$10,8753University of Connecticut-Avery PointGroton, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,471Federal debt$23,750Annual net price$13,8074University of Connecticut-StamfordStamford, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,471Federal debt$23,750Annual net price$16,7985University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusHartford, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,471Federal debt$23,750Annual net price$16,4036Brigham Young UniversityProvo, UT · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$57,020Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,5647University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,682Federal debt$23,375Annual net price$15,3008Ohio University-Eastern CampusSaint Clairsville, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,352Federal debt$25,210Annual net price$3,9259Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusChillicothe, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,352Federal debt$25,210Annual net price$5,75510Ohio University-Southern CampusIronton, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,352Federal debt$25,210Annual net price$5,99311Ohio University-Lancaster CampusLancaster, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,352Federal debt$25,210Annual net price$5,65012Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,352Federal debt$25,210Annual net price$21,63713Ohio University-Zanesville CampusZanesville, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,352Federal debt$25,210Annual net price$5,74614Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$54,030Federal debt$18,750Annual net price$20,78315University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,727Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,10916North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo, ND · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,701Federal debt$24,250Annual net price$15,54317University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,080Federal debt$24,872Annual net price$17,35418Weber State UniversityOgden, UT · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,480Federal debt$20,039Annual net price$10,25819Berry CollegeMount Berry, GA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,958Federal debt$24,569Annual net price$22,32020Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,908Federal debt$24,853Annual net price$19,40621Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,161Federal debt$23,250Annual net price$16,26422San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,722Federal debt$11,000Annual net price$12,27823Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,501Federal debt$24,800Annual net price$17,33924University of WyomingLaramie, WY · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,424Federal debt$23,875Annual net price$13,59925Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,226Federal debt$25,000Annual net price$21,279
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Connecticut$69,4712University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus$69,4713University of Connecticut-Avery Point$69,4714University of Connecticut-Stamford$69,4715University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus$69,4716Brigham Young University$57,0207University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus$55,6828Ohio University-Eastern Campus$55,3529Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus$55,35210Ohio University-Southern Campus$55,352Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Zoologists and Wildlife BiologistsSOC 19-1023 · 6 crosswalk linksBiological Science Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1042 · 4 crosswalk linksNatural Sciences ManagersSOC 11-9121 · 4 crosswalk linksBiological TechniciansSOC 19-4021 · 3 crosswalk linksBiological Scientists, All OtherSOC 19-1029 · 2 crosswalk links
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $69,471 | $23,750 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $69,471 | $23,750 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $69,471 | $23,750 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $69,471 | $23,750 | -1% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $69,471 | $23,750 | -0% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Brigham Young UniversityBachelor's Degree | Provo, UT | $57,020 | Not available | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusBachelor's Degree | Norman, OK | $55,682 | $23,375 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusBachelor's Degree | Saint Clairsville, OH | $55,352 | $25,210 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusBachelor's Degree | Chillicothe, OH | $55,352 | $25,210 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Ohio University-Southern CampusBachelor's Degree | Ironton, OH | $55,352 | $25,210 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Ohio University-Lancaster CampusBachelor's Degree | Lancaster, OH | $55,352 | $25,210 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Athens, OH | $55,352 | $25,210 | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusBachelor's Degree | Zanesville, OH | $55,352 | $25,210 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Tarleton State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Stephenville, TX | $54,030 | $18,750 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | University of California, Santa BarbaraBachelor's Degree | Santa Barbara, CA | $53,727 | Not available | -64% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | North Dakota State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Fargo, ND | $50,701 | $24,250 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $50,080 | $24,872 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Weber State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ogden, UT | $49,480 | $20,039 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Berry CollegeBachelor's Degree | Mount Berry, GA | $48,958 | $24,569 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Kansas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manhattan, KS | $48,908 | $24,853 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Indiana University-BloomingtonBachelor's Degree | Bloomington, IN | $48,161 | $23,250 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | San Francisco State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $45,722 | $11,000 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $45,501 | $24,800 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | University of WyomingBachelor's Degree | Laramie, WY | $44,424 | $23,875 | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $44,226 | $25,000 | -103% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Oregon State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Corvallis, OR | $44,201 | $25,500 | -103% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBachelor's Degree | Bend, OR | $44,201 | $25,500 | -103% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Texas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, TX | $43,943 | $25,033 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Frostburg State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Frostburg, MD | $43,434 | $19,500 | -106% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleBachelor's Degree | Carbondale, IL | $43,207 | $21,717 | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | University of New EnglandBachelor's Degree | Biddeford, ME | $42,941 | $27,000 | -106% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Miami University-OxfordBachelor's Degree | Oxford, OH | $42,883 | $23,562 | -107% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestryBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $42,505 | Not available | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Oklahoma State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Stillwater, OK | $42,474 | $21,750 | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $41,961 | $20,625 | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Washington State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pullman, WA | $41,888 | $17,875 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $41,768 | $27,000 | -112% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $41,543 | $17,500 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $41,343 | $27,000 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Liberty UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | $41,103 | $24,393 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | State University of New York at OswegoBachelor's Degree | Oswego, NY | $40,755 | $24,688 | -117% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Delaware Valley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Doylestown, PA | $40,575 | $26,400 | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Canisius UniversityBachelor's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $40,174 | $25,000 | -119% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Carroll UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waukesha, WI | $39,677 | $27,000 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Friends UniversityBachelor's Degree | Wichita, KS | $39,329 | $19,500 | -119% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Unity Environmental UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Gloucester, ME | $39,302 | $27,250 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Lees-McRae CollegeBachelor's Degree | Banner Elk, NC | $38,699 | $24,120 | -121% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtBachelor's Degree | Arcata, CA | $38,495 | $20,690 | -128% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $38,440 | $21,500 | -126% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | University of VermontBachelor's Degree | Burlington, VT | $38,421 | $23,250 | -126% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | University of MaineBachelor's Degree | Orono, ME | $36,078 | $27,000 | -136% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Kent State University at KentBachelor's Degree | Kent, OH | $35,875 | $25,000 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Ohio Wesleyan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Delaware, OH | Not available | $26,646 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $20,897 |
| 54 | West Texas A&M UniversityBachelor's Degree | Canyon, TX | Not available | $21,406 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $19,487 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.