Best colleges for Zoology/Animal Biology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Zoology/Animal Biology by graduate earnings are University of California-Santa Barbara ($37,633), University of Connecticut ($35,618) and University of Maine ($35,130), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of California-Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA): $37,633, 37 graduates a year
- University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT): $35,618, 116 graduates a year
- University of Maine (Orono, ME): $35,130, 30 graduates a year
- Berry College (Mount Berry, GA): $33,258, 58 graduates a year
- Texas A&M University - College Station (College Station, TX): $31,485, 59 graduates a year
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 median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,287 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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, 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 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,485 | 59 | 84% | — | $17,500 |
| 6 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,996 | 115 | 88% | — | $24,800 |
| 7 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WY Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,359 | 48 | 59% | — | $23,875 |
| 8 | Ohio University Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,303 | 155 | 65% | — | $25,210 |
| 9 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,565 | 40 | 49% | — | $20,690 |
| 10 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,469 | 44 | 60% | — | $17,875 |
| 11 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,461 | 45 | 46% | — | $20,039 |
| 12 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,071 | 70 | 80% | — | $23,562 |
| 13 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,922 | 35 | 60% | — | $24,688 |
| 14 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,741 | 312 | 67% | — | $25,000 |
| 15 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,491 | 147 | 70% | — | $25,500 |
| 16 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,096 | 34 | 80% | — | $23,250 |
| 17 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,843 | 41 | 71% | — | $24,853 |
| 18 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,801 | 120 | 81% | — | $27,000 |
| 19 | Canisius University Buffalo, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,398 | 55 | 66% | $17,353 | $25,000 |
| 20 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,491 | 34 | 64% | — | $25,000 |
| 21 | Carroll University Waukesha, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,303 | 30 | 71% | $22,601 | $27,000 |
| 22 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,069 | 78 | 85% | — | $21,500 |
| 23 | Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,921 | 57 | 42% | $23,349 | $24,120 |
| 24 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,988 | 32 | 65% | $28,911 | $24,393 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,888 | 66 | 90% | — | $24,872 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville, NC Public · Associate degree | $23,733 | 22 | 46% | — | — |
Specializations within Zoology/Animal Biology
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 26.07 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Zoology/CIP 26.0701
Animal Biology 1,722 graduates / yr48 institutions28 states - Wildlife BiologyCIP 26.0709646 graduates / yr26 institutions21 states
- EntomologyCIP 26.0702447 graduates / yr36 institutions33 states
- Animal Behavior and EthologyCIP 26.0708269 graduates / yr12 institutions10 states
- Animal PhysiologyCIP 26.0707partial data235 graduates / yr9 institutions9 states
- Zoology/CIP 26.0799
Animal Biology partial data25 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,287, College Scorecard (2019); 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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