Illinois · Zoology/Animal Biology

Best institutions to study Zoology/Animal Biology in Illinois

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…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 26.07
States offered
43
with a program page
Degrees / yr
90
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median grad earnings
$23,366
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,903
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
69%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
$82,210
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,3666162%$21,717

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.6%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~1,400
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$72,860
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingScienceWriting

What Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
250
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$82,210
median $79,780
Best-paying metro
$82,050
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,130 avg · 2,340 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$92,380 avg · 1,300 jobs
Biological Technicians
$56,790 avg · 790 jobs
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
$82,210 avg · 250 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Zoology/Animal Biology programs in Illinois.

Which Zoology/Animal Biology program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Southern Illinois University - Carbondale tops the list at $23,366. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Illinois is $82,210 (median $79,780), across about 250 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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