Michigan · Zoology/Animal Biology

Best colleges for Zoology/Animal Biology in Michigan

Ranked by graduate earnings

Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University and Madonna University award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees and certificates in Michigan: 120, 25 and 16 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 Michigan colleges offer Zoology/Animal Biology and award 169 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…

Institutions
4
offering CIP 26.07
States offered
43
with a program page
Degrees / yr
169
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$23,373
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$16,904
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
$79,570
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree
$26,80112081%—$27,000
2University of Michigan-Flint
Flint Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$23,373840%——

Colleges awarding the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees in Michigan

Top 4 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public
120$26,801
2Grand Valley State University
Allendale Public
25Not reported
3Madonna University
Livonia Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
4University of Michigan-Flint
Flint Public
8$23,373

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 Michigan

Jobs in Michigan
330
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$79,570
median $79,150
Best-paying metro
$77,580
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Related careers

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$109,950 avg · 1,460 jobs
Biological Technicians
$52,300 avg · 1,160 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$88,660 avg · 860 jobs
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
$79,570 avg · 330 jobs

Common questions

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

Which Michigan colleges award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees?+

Michigan State University (120 graduates a year), Grand Valley State University (25 graduates a year) and Madonna University (16 graduates a year) award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 Michigan colleges offer Zoology/Animal Biology.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Michigan State University tops the list at $26,801. 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 Michigan?+

The average annual wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Michigan is $79,570 (median $79,150), across about 330 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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