Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $22,321 place University of Vermont below the $28,448 national median for Zoology/Animal Biology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 4% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $22,250 represents roughly 12 months of the $22,321 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #50 of 55 Zoology/Animal Biology programs, University of Vermont falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $37,794 show a 69% jump from the $22,321 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.