Home Schools University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Zoology
Biological Sciences · Zoology Rank #6 of 55

Zoologyat University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Graduates earn $30,931/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Zoology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $628K; scenarios range from $565K to $643K depending on AI disruption.

Norman, OK Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
41 AVERAGE
42
Optimistic
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,931
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$628K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Your degree from OU's highly-regarded Zoology program positions you well within the regional ecosystem for animal biology. The strong faculty and research opportunities mean graduates often find roles with state agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, local zoos in OKC or Tulsa, or environmental consultancies serving the energy sector. Many also pursue graduate studies, which are often essential for advancing into management or research scientist positions, where you'll leverage your deep biological understanding. The career paths you see reflect this progression, moving from direct fieldwork to more supervisory or academic roles. Given the high AI risk for some aspects of this field, proactively developing strong data analysis, GIS, or statistical modeling skills alongside your biological expertise will make you far more competitive and resilient in the evolving job market. Seek out internships that let you apply these technical skills in real-world conservation or research projects.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$565K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple14.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$628K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple16.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$643K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple16.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Zoology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
3
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
4
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
+1.6% 10-yr growth · 1,400 openings/yr
$72,860/yr
Moderate
5
Biological technicians
+3.5% 10-yr growth · 9,100 openings/yr
$52,000/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Zoology

How University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
San Francisco State University
CA · Public
51
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
19.1x
ROI
University of California-Santa Barbara
CA · Public
36
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
7.9x
ROI
University of Connecticut
CT · Public
40
DW Score
$36K
1-yr earn
8.0x
ROI
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
CT · Public
42
DW Score
$36K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
University of Connecticut-Avery Point
CT · Public
42
DW Score
$36K
1-yr earn
9.5x
ROI
Also at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Other top programs at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

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 at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

What does a 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Zoology at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus?

At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Zoology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Zoology at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus?

The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus one of the best schools for Zoology?

Among 55 Zoology programs, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.