Best institutions to study Wildlife Biology
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.
26 U.S. institutions graduated 646 Wildlife Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0709, 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 Wildlife Biology programs
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. Includes instruction in animal ecology; adaptational biology; urban ecosystems; natural and artificial habitat management; limnology; wildlife pathology; and vertebrate zoological specializations such as mammalogy, herpetology, ichthyology, ornithology, and others.
See also: 03.0601 - Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Wildlife Biology program, a specialization within Zoology/Animal Biology, focuses on the application of biological principles to study vertebrate wildlife and their habitats. This program is ideal for students passionate about conservation and the management of wildlife populations in both urban and remote ecosystems.
Students will gain critical skills in animal ecology, adaptational biology, and habitat management. Coursework typically includes topics such as limnology, wildlife pathology, and vertebrate zoological specializations like mammalogy and ornithology, equipping graduates with a comprehensive understanding of wildlife biology.
Credentials awarded
What Wildlife Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree576 graduates / yr · 20 institutions89%
- Master's degree44 graduates / yr · 5 institutions6.8%
- Associate's degree16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship9 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Wildlife Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 332 |
| 2013 | 373 |
| 2014 | 398 |
| 2015 | 438 |
| 2016 | 472 |
| 2017 | 471 |
| 2018 | 484 |
| 2019 | 498 |
| 2020 | 567 |
| 2021 | 519 |
| 2022 | 493 |
| 2023 | 606 |
| 2024 | 567 |
| 2025 | 646 |
Top 26 institutions for Wildlife Biology, 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 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 177 | 67% | — | $27,741 |
| 2 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 62 | 55% | — | $22,264 |
| 3 | Lees - McRae College Banner Elk, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 57 | 42% | $23,349 | $24,921 |
| 4 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor's | 47 | 79% | — | $22,321 |
| 5 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NYPublicBachelor's | 37 | 66% | — | — |
| 6 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor's | 34 | 71% | — | $26,843 |
| 7 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor's | 25 | 67% | — | — |
| 8 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 65% | $28,911 | $23,988 |
| 9 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor's | 23 | 59% | — | $29,359 |
| 10 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor's | 19 | 65% | — | $29,303 |
| 11 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 81% | $13,712 | $24,457 |
| 12 | Frostburg State University Frostburg, MDPublicBachelor's | 16 | 50% | — | $29,851 |
| 13 | Keystone College La Plume, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAssociate's | 16 | 36% | $23,598 | — |
| 14 | Davidson - Davie Community College Thomasville, NCPublicAssociate's | 14 | 46% | — | $23,733 |
| 15 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor's | 13 | 60% | — | $24,721 |
| 16 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 70% | — | $27,491 |
| 17 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TXPublicBachelor's | 13 | 55% | — | — |
| 18 | Charleston Southern University Charleston, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 47% | $21,848 | — |
| 19 | University of Michigan - Flint Flint, MIPublicBachelor's | 8 | 40% | — | $23,373 |
| 20 | Hastings College Hastings, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 49% | $20,424 | — |
| 21 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 59% | — | — |
| 22 | Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 53% | $19,537 | — |
| 23 | New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas, NMPublicBachelor's | 3 | 26% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 90% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicMaster's | 1 | 55% | — | $35,130 |
| 26 | United Tribes Technical College Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 21% | $2,819 | — |
* 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 21 states
Where Wildlife Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Zoology/Animal Biology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1 | 177 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins177 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 75 | Texas State University62 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 71 | Lees - McRae College57 / yr |
| Vermont | 1 | 47 | University of Vermont47 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 37 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry37 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 34 | Kansas State University34 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 33 | Grand Valley State University25 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 23 | Brigham Young University18 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 23 | Liberty University23 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 23 | University of Wyoming23 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 19 | Ohio University - Main Campus19 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 16 | Frostburg State University16 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 16 | Keystone College16 / yr |
| North Dakota | 2 | 14 | University of North Dakota13 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 13 | Oregon State University13 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 9 | Charleston Southern University9 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 7 | Hastings College7 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 4 | Carson - Newman University4 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 3 | New Mexico Highlands University3 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | University of Georgia1 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 1 | University of Maine1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1023, Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Wildlife Biology program often pursue careers as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. The job outlook for this field shows little to no change, with an annual opening of approximately 1,400 positions and a median wage of $72,860. A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0709
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 |
Biological Technicians SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | 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 Wildlife Biology 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 - EntomologyCIP 26.0702447 graduates / yr36 institutions
- Animal Behavior and EthologyCIP 26.0708269 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Animal PhysiologyCIP 26.0707partial data235 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Zoology/CIP 26.0799
Animal Biology partial data25 graduates / yr4 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Wildlife Biology?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, or Doctor's degree in Wildlife Biology.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, writing, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Wildlife Biology?+
You can work as a Zoologist, Wildlife Biologist, or Biological Technician.
What is the job outlook for Wildlife Biology graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 1,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Wildlife Biology?+
Wildlife Biology is CIP 26.0709 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 application of biological principles to the study of vertebrate wildlife, wildlife habitats, and related ecosystems in remote and urban areas. Includes instruction in animal ecology; adaptational biology; urban ecosystems; natural and artificial habitat management; limnology; wildlife pathology; and vertebrate zoological specializations such as mammalogy, herpetology, ichthyology, ornithology, and others.
How many institutions offer Wildlife Biology programs?+
26 U.S. institutions reported Wildlife Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 21 states, awarding 646 credentials in the year. That is 19.3% of all Zoology/Animal Biology graduates.
How much do Wildlife Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation, which Wildlife Biology 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 $24,921 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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