Zoology/Animal Biology at Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
20
Optimistic
19
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,491/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (29,200 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #44 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/Animal Biology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $453K $457K $436K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.8x 8.9x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.1x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 19 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,384
Out-of-state: $89,264 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,456
-53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
11.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,701
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,491 track close to the $28,448 national median for Zoology/Animal Biology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.9x 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 $25,000 represents roughly 12 months of the $25,491 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #44 of 55 Zoology/Animal Biology programs, Kent State University at Kent falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $25,491 to $37,701 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Kent State University at Kent

Kent State University at Kent has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 19,134 students in Kent, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Kent State University at Kent →

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

Zoology/Animal Biology at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Zoology/Animal Biology at Kent State University at Kent?
A score of 19/100 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 $435,859 in decade earnings vs $453,310 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →