Best institutions to study Animal Physiology
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 applications to homo sapiens and its relatives and antecedents.
9 U.S. institutions graduated 235 Animal Physiology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0707, a specialization of Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 26.07), and leads most directly to the Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1023).
About Animal Physiology programs
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 applications to homo sapiens and its relatives and antecedents. Includes instruction in reproduction, growth, lactation, digestion, performance, behavioral adaptation, sensory perception, motor action, phylogenetics, biotic and abiotic function, membrane biology, and related aspects of biochemistry and biophysics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Animal Physiology program, part of the Zoology/Animal Biology field, focuses on the scientific study of animal function, morphology, and intercellular dynamics. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the biological processes that govern both vertebrate and invertebrate species, with applications to humans and their evolutionary relatives. Students will explore various aspects of animal biology, including reproduction, growth, and sensory perception. Designed for those passionate about wildlife and conservation, this program prepares graduates for a range of careers in biological sciences. With a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and scientific inquiry, students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex biological questions and contribute to the field of animal physiology.
In the Animal Physiology program, students will develop core skills in critical thinking, active learning, and scientific writing. Coursework covers essential topics such as biochemistry, biophysics, and the physiological processes of animals, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of biology and the dynamics of living organisms.
Credentials awarded
What Animal Physiology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree192 graduates / yr · 3 institutions82%
- Master's degree22 graduates / yr · 5 institutions9.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship21 graduates / yr · 6 institutions8.9%
Graduates over time
Animal Physiology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 183 |
| 2013 | 141 |
| 2014 | 156 |
| 2015 | 171 |
| 2016 | 214 |
| 2017 | 219 |
| 2018 | 173 |
| 2019 | 167 |
| 2020 | 170 |
| 2021 | 147 |
| 2022 | 154 |
| 2023 | 159 |
| 2024 | 163 |
| 2025 | 235 |
Top 9 institutions for Animal Physiology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 116 | 83% | — | $35,618 |
| 2 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 79 | 59% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 85% | — | — |
| 4 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 87% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 90% | — | $23,888 |
| 6 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 68% | $30,641 | — |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 86% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicDoctoral | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 9 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicMaster's | 2 | 75% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Zoology/Animal Biology field (CIP 26.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 9 states
Where Animal Physiology graduates come from. Each state links to all Zoology/Animal Biology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 1 | 116 | University of Connecticut116 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 79 | Utah State University79 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 10 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities10 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 10 | Clemson University10 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 9 | University of Wisconsin - Madison9 / yr |
| California | 1 | 4 | The Master's University and Seminary4 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 3 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus3 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 2 | University of Idaho2 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 2 | Iowa State University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1023, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Animal Physiology program can pursue careers as zoologists and wildlife biologists, with additional opportunities in natural sciences management and education. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 1,400 annual openings and a median wage of $72,860. A bachelor's degree is typically required for entry into these fields.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0707
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologistsprimary SOC 19-1023 | $76,780 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~1,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Animal Physiology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Zoology/Animal Biology specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 26.07).
- Zoology/CIP 26.0701
Animal Biology 1,722 graduates / yr48 institutions - Wildlife BiologyCIP 26.0709646 graduates / yr26 institutions
- EntomologyCIP 26.0702447 graduates / yr36 institutions
- Animal Behavior and EthologyCIP 26.0708269 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Zoology/CIP 26.0799
Animal Biology partial data25 graduates / yr4 institutions
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, with options for Master's and Doctor's degrees.
What skills will I develop?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and scientific writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Graduates can work as zoologists, wildlife biologists, or in natural sciences management.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 1,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Animal Physiology?+
Animal Physiology is CIP 26.0707 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 26.07). NCES defines it as: 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 applications to homo sapiens and its relatives and antecedents. Includes instruction in reproduction, growth, lactation, digestion, performance, behavioral adaptation, sensory perception, motor action, phylogenetics, biotic and abiotic function, membrane biology, and related aspects of biochemistry and biophysics.
How many institutions offer Animal Physiology programs?+
9 U.S. institutions reported Animal Physiology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 235 credentials in the year. That is 7.0% of all Zoology/Animal Biology graduates.
How much do Animal Physiology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation, which Animal Physiology most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,780 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Zoology/Animal Biology field report median earnings of $35,618 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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