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Zoology at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Zoology/Animal Biology
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,366/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (29,200 openings/yr)
ROI 8.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #45 of 55 Zoology/Animal Biology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $464K $467K $443K
Earnings Multiple 8.8x 8.8x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$52,976
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,708
-22% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,750
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,317
64% growth from Year 1

About Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,116 in Carbondale, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale →

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 →

Zoology 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 Oklahoma-Norman Campus ($30,931)

Other Majors at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Fire Protection ($104,017) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($73,283) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($72,495) Computer Science ($70,053) Mechanical Engineering ($69,454) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($69,021) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($68,670) Civil Engineering ($65,269)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Zoology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Zoology at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Zoology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Zoology careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $443,138 in decade earnings vs $464,051 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Zoology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →