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Zoology/Animal Biology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,741/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (29,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 of 55 Zoology/Animal Biology programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Zoology/Animal Biology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $532K $528K $489K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.2x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,584
Out-of-state: $135,004 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,875
10.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,193
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Zoology/Animal Biology program produces graduates earning $27,741/yr — within striking distance of the $28,448 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Zoology/Animal Biology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Zoology/Animal Biology's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,875 represents roughly 10 months of the $27,741 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #26 of 55 Zoology/Animal Biology programs, Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $49,193 show a 77% jump from the $27,741 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

A 90% acceptance rate means Colorado State University-Fort Collins is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 25,148 students in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
Biological science teachers, postsecondary $83,460/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 55 schools offering Zoology/Animal Biology →

Zoology/Animal Biology at Other Schools

San Francisco State University ($41,565) University of California-Santa Barbara ($37,633) University of Connecticut ($35,618) University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus ($35,618) University of Connecticut-Avery Point ($35,618) University of Connecticut-Stamford ($35,618) University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus ($35,618) University of Maine ($35,130)

Other Majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,856) Construction Engineering Technologies ($78,423) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,038) Civil Engineering ($73,326) Information Science/Studies ($67,827) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($66,109) Chemical Engineering ($62,468) Mechanical Engineering ($60,720)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Zoology/Animal Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Zoology/Animal Biology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Zoology/Animal Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Zoology/Animal Biology careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $489,489 in decade earnings vs $532,429 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →