Zoology/Animal Biology at University of Connecticut

UConn's Zoology program dramatically outperforms the national field, with first-year graduates earning $35,618 compared to a national median of just $28,461—landing this program in the 95th percentile nationally. That's a 25% premium over what most zoology graduates earn elsewhere. The $23,750 median debt sits right at the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that's quite manageable for a life sciences degree. Graduates also see healthy salary progression, with earnings climbing 21% to $43,133 by year four, suggesting the degree opens doors to career advancement.

The Connecticut context is worth noting: this appears to be the only zoology program in the state (or at least the dominant one, given that all CT campuses report identical figures), which means UConn effectively sets the bar. The moderate sample size of 30-100 graduates reflects the field's relatively small pipeline, but these numbers are consistent across UConn's regional campuses.

For families weighing this program, the value proposition is straightforward. While zoology won't lead to six-figure salaries right out of college, UConn graduates enter the field with a significant competitive advantage and reasonable debt loads. If your child is genuinely passionate about animal biology and understands the salary realities of conservation, research, or wildlife management work, this is one of the stronger programs to pursue that path.