Zoology/Animal Biology at University of Florida

Despite UF's prestigious reputation (24% admission rate, 1397 average SAT), its Zoology program produces concerning first-year outcomes that fall well below national standards. Graduates earn a median of $23,809 one year out—putting them in just the 14th percentile nationally for this major. While that lands at the state median (60th percentile), Florida only has three schools offering this program, so the comparison offers limited comfort. The debt load of $20,625, though manageable in absolute terms, represents 84% of first-year earnings and ranks in the 84th percentile nationally for debt burden.

The real issue here is the $4,600 gap between UF graduates and the national median, suggesting graduates may be entering lower-paid lab tech or animal care positions rather than the research or specialized roles that command higher salaries. For context, the national 75th percentile for this major is only $30,366—meaning even top-performing programs struggle with early earnings. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers may not reflect typical outcomes, especially given UF's strong alumni network and research opportunities in life sciences.

For families paying out-of-state tuition, this looks like a poor investment based purely on first-year returns. In-state students paying lower tuition might find better value if they're committed to graduate school or long-term careers in wildlife biology or veterinary medicine, where the UF name carries weight and initial salary matters less than trajectory.