Home Majors Zoology
Academic Field / Biological Sciences

Zoology

Students study animal physiology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and biodiversity across species from invertebrates to mammals. Graduates typically pursue careers in wildlife biology, zoo management, animal conservation, veterinary medicine preparation, environmental consulting, and museum curation. This major is ideal for students fascinated by the animal kingdom who want careers in conservation or animal science.

Schools
55
Programs analyzed
Earnings
$28,449
Avg 1-yr grad earnings
Range $17,085–$41,565
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Field Overview

What Zoology graduates do

Your career likely won't start with tracking lions on the savanna. Many Zoology graduates begin as biological technicians, spending their days collecting field samples, running lab tests, and meticulously maintaining equipment. From there, your path can branch significantly. You might advance into a more specialized role as a zoologist or wildlife biologist, designing and conducting studies on animal populations, though these jobs are highly competitive with slow growth. Alternatively, you could move into management, becoming a natural sciences manager where you'll trade fieldwork for overseeing entire research programs, securing funding, and leading teams.

A faster-growing path is in education, where you could become a postsecondary biology teacher, inspiring the next generation of scientists. Across these roles, AI is becoming a powerful assistant. With moderate exposure (46%), expect AI to automate routine data analysis and sample processing. This won't eliminate your job, but it will change it, shifting your focus toward complex problem-solving, experimental design, and hands-on fieldwork that machines can't replicate. Adaptability is key, as your value will lie in using these tools to answer bigger questions.

Students weighing Zoology often also consider Neuroscience, Biotechnology, and Botany & Plant Biology — compare earnings, ROI, and AI outlook side by side.

Career Trajectories

Where Zoology graduates work

Common career paths for Zoology graduates, with median salaries, projected growth, and AI exposure per role. Roughly 29,200 combined openings per year across these roles.

Role Median Pay Annual Openings 10-yr Growth AI Exposure
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
$114K–$215K
8,500 +3.7% High · 50%
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330
$68K–$121K
4,800 +1.2% Moderate · 49%
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
$83,460
$64K–$125K
5,400 +7.3% Moderate · 47%
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
$72,860
$58K–$91K
1,400 +1.6% Moderate · 45%
Biological technicians
$52,000
$45K–$66K
9,100 +3.5% Moderate · 42%
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Top Institutions

Best schools for Zoology

Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 55.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 51
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA · Public
$41,565 1-yr earnings
19.1x ROI multiple
High AI risk
# School DW Score 1-yr Earnings ROI
5 University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus
Hartford, CT · Public
42 $35,618 9.5x
6 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Norman, OK · Public
41 $30,931 15.7x
7 University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
40 $35,618 8.0x
8 Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, OH · Public
39 $29,303 21.3x
9 Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH · Public
39 $29,303 21.3x
10 Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH · Public
39 $29,303 21.3x
11 Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH · Public
39 $29,303 21.3x
12 Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public
39 $29,303 21.3x
13 North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Fargo, ND · Public
38 $33,115 12.0x
14 Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX · Public
38 $30,736 16.3x
15 University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
37 $23,809 21.9x
16 University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public
36 $37,633 7.9x
17 Brigham Young University
Provo, UT · Private nonprofit
34 $24,457 18.8x
18 University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY · Public
32 $29,359 14.9x
19 Weber State University
Ogden, UT · Public
32 $28,461 16.3x
20 University of Maine
Orono, ME · Public
31 $35,130 6.0x
Which school is best for Zoology? See our complete ranking of 55 programs →

Related majors

Similar fields of study often offered alongside Zoology.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Zoology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Zoology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Zoology

What do Zoology graduates make in their first year?

The median first-year salary across 55 Zoology programs is $28,449. School selection matters — the gap between the lowest ($17,085) and highest ($41,565) earning programs is significant.

How exposed is Zoology to AI disruption?

AI exposure for Zoology is rated "High." With 51% of tasks potentially affected by large language models, most career functions face meaningful automation pressure in the coming decade.

What's the top-ranked school for Zoology?

San Francisco State University leads all 55 programs with a DegreeOutlook Score of 51/100. Graduates earn $41,565/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.

What's the outlook for a Zoology degree?

The average 10-year earnings multiple is 8.9x tuition. This is a moderate return — school choice matters significantly. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.