Zoology/Animal Biology at University of New England

University of New England's zoology program starts graduates at $28,500—roughly on par with the national median but trailing other Maine options by about $2,500. However, the trajectory matters here: by year four, graduates reach nearly $40,000, representing 38% growth that outpaces many biology-related fields. That said, this still ranks 40th percentile among Maine's zoology programs, suggesting stronger earning potential exists at competitors like University of Maine, where graduates start at $35,000.

The financial picture is more encouraging than the earnings alone suggest. At $27,000, the debt load equals the state median but sits in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of zoology programs nationwide saddle students with more debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.95 is manageable, particularly given the strong early-career growth. For a field notorious for requiring graduate degrees to advance, starting with relatively light debt keeps options open.

For families committed to zoology, this represents a financially viable path rather than an exceptional one. The low debt load is the real strength here, especially for students planning veterinary school or graduate work where additional borrowing is inevitable. Just know that peer programs in Maine offer higher starting salaries with similar debt, making those worth comparing directly if geographic flexibility exists.