Zoology/Animal Biology at Ohio University-Zanesville Campus

Ohio University-Zanesville's Zoology program starts graduates at $29,303—right at the state median and slightly above the national average for this field. What makes this program stand out is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income jump 46% by year four, reaching $42,761. This growth rate is particularly impressive for a biology field, where early-career earnings often plateau. The modest debt load of $25,210 keeps first-year obligations manageable at 0.86 times annual income.

Among Ohio's 13 zoology programs, this ranks squarely in the middle for both earnings and debt, performing identically to several other Ohio University regional campuses. The low Pell grant percentage (10%) suggests this campus serves a different demographic than many regional institutions, though the strong sample size of 100+ graduates validates these outcomes. Compared to Ohio State's main campus, Zanesville graduates start about $700 behind but likely benefit from lower tuition costs and smaller class sizes.

For families, the key question is whether the strong mid-career growth justifies the modest initial earnings. The debt load is reasonable enough that the year-one salary won't feel crushing, and if that 46% growth pattern holds, graduates reach solid middle-class earnings by their late twenties. This works best for students who can weather a few lean early years while building toward better prospects—particularly if they're interested in wildlife, conservation, or veterinary-adjacent careers where experience compounds over time.