Zoology/Animal Biology at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

UConn Hartford's Zoology program delivers something rare: graduates earn 25% more than the national median for this major, placing it in the 95th percentile nationwide. That first-year salary of $35,618 might look modest on its face, but it significantly outperforms the typical $28,461 that zoology majors earn elsewhere. The debt load of $23,750 is reasonable for a field that doesn't command high starting salaries, and graduates see solid 21% earnings growth over four years, reaching $43,133.

However, context matters here. The 60th percentile ranking within Connecticut suggests this program performs right around the state median—hardly surprising given that all five UConn system schools offering zoology report identical earnings figures. The program serves a substantial number of first-generation and lower-income students (46% on Pell grants), which adds social value beyond the numbers. The moderate sample size means these figures represent a meaningful cohort, not a statistical fluke.

For families considering this path: zoology is fundamentally a stepping-stone degree for most students, whether toward veterinary school, graduate research, or career pivots into related fields. This program positions graduates well compared to peers nationally while keeping debt manageable. Just understand that the $35,000 starting salary reflects the field's reality, not the program's limitations.