Zoology/Animal Biology at Berry College

Berry College's Zoology program places graduates well above the national median—earning about $4,800 more than typical biology majors from similar programs—though its position within Georgia is harder to gauge with only two programs statewide. The $24,569 debt load is roughly average for this field, and graduates start with a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. That means less than one year's salary worth of debt, which is reasonable territory for a science degree that often requires graduate school for higher-earning career paths.

The first-year salary of $33,258 reflects the reality of entry-level positions in animal care, wildlife conservation, and lab work. Many graduates use this bachelor's as a stepping stone to veterinary school, graduate research programs, or specialized wildlife careers where salaries increase substantially. The moderate debt load at least doesn't create an insurmountable barrier to further education.

For families, this comes down to career trajectory. If your student plans to work immediately after graduation in zoos, animal shelters, or conservation organizations, understand that salaries start modest despite Berry's above-average outcomes. If they're eyeing vet school or research graduate programs, this represents solid preparation without crushing debt. The 86th percentile national ranking suggests Berry does well by its zoology students compared to most programs nationwide.