Zoology/Animal Biology at Miami University-Oxford

Miami University's Zoology program lands squarely in the middle of the pack, which becomes a concern when you consider what "middle" means for this field. Starting at just over $28,000 annually, graduates earn below the state median and rank in the 40th percentile among Ohio's zoology programs—trailing Ohio State by nearly $2,000 right out of the gate. With student debt at $23,562, that 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe roughly 10 months' salary before taxes, which is manageable but tight given the modest starting salary.

The 16% earnings growth to $32,644 by year four offers some relief, though this still leaves graduates well behind most career paths. For context, Ohio State's zoology graduates start where Miami's students will be four years later. The reality is that zoology programs typically lead to graduate school, research assistant positions, or career pivots—very few undergraduates land directly into well-paying wildlife positions with just a bachelor's degree.

If your child is passionate about animal biology, understand this degree is more likely a stepping stone than a destination. The debt load won't be crushing, but the earnings ceiling is real. Make sure they have a clear plan for either graduate school funding or a specific career path that values this major beyond entry-level zoo or veterinary assistant work.