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Zoology/Animal Biology at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,491/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (29,200 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #42 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 $443K $448K $429K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.8x 8.9x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.2x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 20 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,376
Out-of-state: $139,776 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,888
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,596
10.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,871
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Zoology/Animal Biology program produces graduates earning $27,491/yr — within striking distance of the $28,448 national average for this field.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,596 represents roughly 11 months of the $27,491 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #42 of 55 Zoology/Animal Biology programs, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $27,491 to $36,871 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,054 students in Bend, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus →

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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Computer Science ($85,376) Construction Engineering ($80,936) Industrial Engineering ($78,425) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,636) Manufacturing Engineering ($72,154) Chemical Engineering ($71,618) Engineering, Other ($71,549) Civil Engineering ($70,635)

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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
A score of 20/100 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 $429,036 in decade earnings vs $443,243 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →