Analysis
Washington State University's zoology program stands out for one crucial reason: graduates carry significantly less debt than the national norm. At $17,875, that's $6,500 below what typical zoology students owe elsewhere—placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping debt low. For a field where early earnings hover around $28,000, that difference matters enormously.
The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. While first-year graduates earn right at the national median, they see strong 37% growth by year four, reaching nearly $39,000. That's solid momentum for a life sciences field often associated with entry-level research positions and field work. Among Washington's two zoology programs, WSU performs slightly better than average, though the limited state options mean most comparison comes from the national landscape.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 works in graduates' favor—roughly two-thirds of that first year's salary in debt is manageable territory, especially given the upward earnings trend. For families concerned about their student taking on debt to study animal biology, WSU's combination of reasonable borrowing and decent earning potential makes this a relatively safe bet within a field that's never been known for high starting salaries.
Where Washington State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all zoology/animal biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Washington State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State University | $28,469 | $38,862 | +37% |
| San Francisco State University | $41,565 | $46,358 | +12% |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | $33,115 | $45,621 | +38% |
| University of Connecticut | $35,618 | $43,133 | +21% |
| University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus | $35,618 | $43,133 | +21% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Zoology/Animal Biology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Washington State UniversityPullman | $12,997 | $28,469 | $38,862 | $17,875 | 0.63 |
 San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco | $7,424 | $41,565 | $46,358 | $11,000 | 0.26 |
 University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara | $14,965 | $37,633 | $41,245 | — | — |
 University of Connecticut-Avery PointGroton | $17,462 | $35,618 | $43,133 | $23,750 | 0.67 |
 University of ConnecticutStorrs | $20,366 | $35,618 | $43,133 | $23,750 | 0.67 |
 University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusWaterbury | $17,462 | $35,618 | $43,133 | $23,750 | 0.67 |
| National Median | — | $28,461 | — | $24,393 | 0.86 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with zoology/animal biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Biological Technicians
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Washington State University, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 54 graduates with reported earnings and 72 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.