Zoology/Animal Biology at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University's zoology program starts graduates at a modest $29,303—barely above the national median—but what happens next tells a more encouraging story. By year four, earnings jump 46% to nearly $43,000, suggesting graduates find their footing in either graduate programs or career positions that value their biology training. While that four-year mark still won't impress anyone, it's substantially better than the stagnant trajectory many animal biology programs show.

The debt picture deserves credit: at $25,210, it's below the 75th percentile nationally for zoology programs, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86 means graduates aren't drowning in payments while earning entry-level wages. Among Ohio's 13 zoology programs, this ranks right at the state median—competitive with Ohio State's stronger initial earnings but without the premium private school price tags.

Here's the reality check for parents: zoology isn't a lucrative field, period. Your child will likely need either a graduate degree, a pivot toward healthcare or environmental consulting, or genuine comfort with modest earnings. But if they're determined to study animal biology, Ohio University offers a reasonable path—lower debt than many alternatives and enough upward momentum to suggest the degree opens doors beyond part-time zoo work. Just make sure they understand that $42,000 at year four is the growth story, not $29,000 at year one.