Zoology/Animal Biology at Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ohio University-Southern's zoology program shows exactly what early-career biology majors often face: a challenging first year followed by meaningful salary growth. Starting at $29,303, graduates see their earnings jump 46% to nearly $43,000 by year four—substantial improvement that brings them well above typical biology-field trajectories. The $25,210 debt load is actually modest compared to most STEM programs, creating a manageable 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio even during that tough first year.

Within Ohio's competitive landscape, this program holds its ground at the state median for both earnings and debt, matching the flagship Columbus campus for first-year outcomes. Nationally, it outperforms 61% of zoology programs while keeping debt lower than 75% of peers—a combination that matters when you're funding lab experience or unpaid internships common in animal biology careers. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these figures reliable, not outliers.

The reality is that zoology degrees rarely lead to immediate high salaries regardless of school, but this program's trajectory suggests graduates are successfully navigating into research positions, wildlife management roles, or graduate programs that boost earning power. If your child is committed to working with animals and willing to grind through the early years, the debt here won't become an anchor, and the upward momentum is encouraging.