Zoology/Animal Biology at University of Maine

University of Maine's zoology program produces graduates who significantly outperform the national field—earning $35,130 in their first year compared to a national median of just $28,461. That's roughly $6,700 more annually than the typical zoology graduate nationwide, placing UMaine in the 93rd percentile. The debt load of $27,000 is also remarkably reasonable, coming in at the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of zoology programs burden students with more debt). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77, graduates owe less than what they'll earn in their first year—a healthy starting position for a biology-focused field that often requires graduate work for career advancement.

The caveat here is worth noting: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data set, these numbers could shift with a larger sample. Among Maine's three zoology programs, UMaine ranks middle of the pack, but that's less concerning when you're already beating most programs nationwide. The $27,000 debt figure is identical to the state median, suggesting this is fairly standard for Maine students.

For parents worried about their child's biology passion leading to financial struggle, UMaine offers evidence to the contrary. Your student would be graduating with manageable debt and stronger earning potential than most peers in this field—a foundation that matters whether they're heading straight to work or on to graduate school.