Zoology/Animal Biology at Tarleton State University

Tarleton State's zoology program manages to outperform 76% of similar programs nationally while keeping debt substantially below the national median—though the small sample size (fewer than 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year. The $18,750 in median debt is notably lower than the $24,393 national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 that suggests graduates can realistically manage their loans even with the modest starting salary of $30,736.

The Texas comparison is more nuanced. Tarleton matches the state median for earnings but sits below the state median on debt, which is encouraging. Graduates here earn nearly $8,500 more in their first year than those from Texas State's program, though they trail Texas A&M by about $750. The 13% earnings growth to $34,721 by year four shows steady, if unspectacular, income progression typical of animal-focused biology careers.

For a family considering this program: you're getting competitive outcomes at a price point that won't force your graduate into financial strain. The caveat is that small sample size—a few outlier outcomes could dramatically change these numbers either direction. If your student is committed to animal biology work (which rarely leads to high early salaries), this represents a fiscally responsible path compared to pricier alternatives.