Best colleges for Zoology/Animal Biology in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Davis, California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt and University of California-Santa Barbara award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees and certificates in California: 117, 40 and 37 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 California colleges offer Zoology/Animal Biology and award 224 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Zoology/Animal Biology program focuses on the scientific study of animals, encompassing their structure, classification, behavior, and interactions within ecosystems. This program is ideal for students passionate about understanding…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,633 | 37 | 83% | — | — |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,565 | 40 | 49% | — | $20,690 |
Colleges awarding the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees in California
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis Public | 117 | Not reported |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata Public | 40 | $28,565 |
| 3 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Public | 37 | $37,633 |
| 4 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 5 | Cerritos College Norwalk Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 6 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023).
Top skills
What Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Zoology/Animal Biology programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees?+
University of California-Davis (117 graduates a year), California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt (40 graduates a year) and University of California-Santa Barbara (37 graduates a year) award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 California colleges offer Zoology/Animal Biology.
Which Zoology/Animal Biology program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-Santa Barbara tops the list at $37,633. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in California is $111,800 (median $98,530), across about 2,210 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Zoology/Animal Biology program?+
The Zoology/Animal Biology program focuses on the scientific study of animals, encompassing their structure, classification, behavior, and interactions within ecosystems. This program is ideal for students passionate about understanding…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?+
The national job outlook is about +1.6% growth with around 1,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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