Best institutions to study Zoology/Animal Biology
Compare 102 U.S. colleges offering Zoology/Animal Biology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 43 states.
Zoology/Animal Biology programs report a median of $27,287 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 26.07 and the Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Zoology/Animal Biology programs
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 both living and extinct species and their roles in the environment. It serves as a foundation for various specializations, including Wildlife Biology and Animal Behavior.
Students in this program will develop critical skills in biology, research, and communication. Coursework typically includes topics in animal physiology, ecology, and conservation, equipping graduates with the knowledge to study and manage wildlife populations effectively.
Top 46 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,633 | 37 | 83% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,618 | 116 | 83% | — | $23,750 |
| 3 | University of Maine Orono, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,130 | 30 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Berry College Mount Berry, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,258 | 58 | 69% | $20,108 | $24,569 |
| 5 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,115 | 3 | 64% | — | $24,250 |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,485 | 59 | 84% | — | $17,500 |
| 7 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,931 | 9 | 75% | — | $23,375 |
| 8 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,996 | 115 | 88% | — | $24,800 |
| 9 | Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,851 | 16 | 50% | — | $19,500 |
| 10 | Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,547 | 18 | 59% | $18,325 | $26,646 |
| 11 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WY Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,359 | 48 | 59% | — | $23,875 |
| 12 | Ohio University - Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,303 | 2 | 21% | — | $25,210 |
| 13 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,303 | 155 | 65% | — | $25,210 |
| 14 | Ohio University - Zanesville Campus Zanesville, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,303 | 1 | 22% | — | $25,210 |
| 15 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,565 | 40 | 49% | — | $20,690 |
| 16 | University of New England Biddeford, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,509 | 18 | 68% | $34,673 | $27,000 |
| 17 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,469 | 44 | 60% | — | $17,875 |
| 18 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,461 | 45 | 46% | — | $20,039 |
| 19 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,071 | 70 | 80% | — | $23,562 |
| 20 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,922 | 35 | 60% | — | $24,688 |
| 21 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,741 | 312 | 67% | — | $25,000 |
| 22 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,491 | 147 | 70% | — | $25,500 |
| 23 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,287 | 19 | 56% | $25,402 | $26,400 |
| 24 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,096 | 34 | 80% | — | $23,250 |
| 25 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,843 | 41 | 71% | — | $24,853 |
| 26 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,801 | 120 | 81% | — | $27,000 |
| 27 | Canisius University Buffalo, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,398 | 55 | 66% | $17,353 | $25,000 |
| 28 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,491 | 34 | 64% | — | $25,000 |
| 29 | Carroll University Waukesha, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,303 | 30 | 71% | $22,601 | $27,000 |
| 30 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,069 | 78 | 85% | — | $21,500 |
| 31 | Lees - McRae College Banner Elk, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,921 | 57 | 42% | $23,349 | $24,120 |
| 32 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,721 | 13 | 60% | — | — |
| 33 | Friends University Wichita, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,692 | 18 | 43% | $24,084 | $19,500 |
| 34 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,457 | 18 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 35 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,988 | 32 | 65% | $28,911 | $24,393 |
| 36 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,888 | 66 | 90% | — | $24,872 |
| 37 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,809 | 148 | 91% | — | $20,625 |
| 38 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,809 | 1 | 85% | — | $20,625 |
| 39 | Davidson - Davie Community College Thomasville, NC Public · Associate degree | $23,733 | 22 | 46% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Michigan - Flint Flint, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,373 | 8 | 40% | — | — |
| 41 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,366 | 61 | 62% | — | $21,717 |
| 42 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,031 | 98 | 68% | — | $21,750 |
| 43 | University of Vermont Burlington, VT Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,321 | 63 | 79% | — | $23,250 |
| 44 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,268 | 21 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 45 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,264 | 62 | 55% | — | $25,033 |
| 46 | Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,085 | 8 | 47% | $36,525 | — |
Offered across 43 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1023, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Zoology/Animal Biology program can pursue careers in wildlife management, conservation, and research. The job outlook shows a growth rate of 1.6%, with approximately 1,400 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is $72,860, and a bachelor's degree is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Zoology/Animal Biology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.07.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.07 (Zoology/Animal Biology) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1023 | Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistsprimary |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-4021 | Biological Technicians |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Zoology/Animal Biology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
- Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
- Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
- Study animals in their natural habitats, assessing effects of environment and industry on animals, interpreting findings and recommending alternative operating conditions for industry.
- Disseminate information by writing reports and scientific papers or journal articles, and by making presentations and giving talks for schools, clubs, interest groups and park interpretive programs.
- Study characteristics of animals, such as origin, interrelationships, classification, life histories, diseases, development, genetics, and distribution.
Concentrations within Zoology/Animal Biology
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Zoology/Animal BiologyCIP 26.0701
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the biology of animal species and phyla, with reference to their molecular and cellular systems, anatomy, physiology, and behavior
- EntomologyCIP 26.0702
A program that focuses on the scientific study of insect species and populations in respect of their life cycles, morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, and environm
- Animal PhysiologyCIP 26.0707
A program that focuses on the scientific study of function, morphology, regulation, and intercellular communications and dynamics within vertebrate and invertebrate in animal species, with comparative
- Animal Behavior and EthologyCIP 26.0708
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the psychological and neurological bases of animal sensation, perception, cognition, behavior, and behavioral interactions within and outside the spec
- Wildlife BiologyCIP 26.0709
A program that focuses on the application of biological principles to the study of vertebrate wildlife, wildlife habitats, and related ecosystems in remote and urban areas
- Zoology/Animal Biology, OtherCIP 26.0799
Any instructional program in zoology/animal biology not listed above.
Common questions
What is Zoology/Animal Biology?+
It is the scientific study of animals, including their structure, behavior, and ecosystems.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop critical thinking, research, communication, and active learning skills.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work in wildlife management, conservation, or research.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The growth rate is 1.6% with about 1,400 annual job openings.
How much do Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn?+
Zoology/Animal Biology graduates report median earnings of $27,287 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation pays about $83,020 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Zoology/Animal Biology?+
Zoology/Animal Biology maps to CIP 26.07 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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