Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,633
Est. from CA median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,700
Est. from national median (10 programs)

Analysis

California's zoology programs show a wide range of outcomes, and without direct data from Master's University, comparable programs suggest this one lands in the middle of the pack. Similar programs in California typically produce first-year earnings around $37,600, which notably exceeds the national median of $28,400 for this field—a reflection of the state's higher cost of living and more diverse job market for biology graduates.

The estimated $25,700 in debt sits above California's median for zoology programs but below the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. In practical terms, that means estimated monthly loan payments around $290 on a standard plan—manageable on a $37,600 salary, though tight in expensive Santa Clarita. What's harder to predict is how Master's University's specific approach (as a Christian seminary-affiliated institution) might affect career preparation compared to the state schools in the benchmark data.

The real challenge: zoology is notoriously back-loaded, with many graduates needing advanced degrees or years of experience to reach solid earning potential. Without knowing whether Master's graduates follow typical patterns or forge different paths, you're betting on regional salary advantages while accepting above-state-average debt. If your student is committed to graduate school or knows exactly what niche they're targeting, those estimated figures become less relevant than the undergraduate preparation itself.

Where The Master's University and Seminary Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all zoology/animal biology bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Zoology/Animal Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (9 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
The Master's University and SeminarySanta Clarita$36,930$37,633*$25,700*
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco$7,424$41,565*$46,358$11,000*0.26
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara$14,965$37,633*$41,245*
California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata$7,913$28,565*$26,675$20,690*0.72
National Median$28,461*$24,393*0.86
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with zoology/animal biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.

$72,860/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

Bioinformatics Scientists

Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

Geneticists

Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.

Biologists

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The Master's University and Seminary, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.