Best institutions to study Zoology/Animal Biology
Any instructional program in zoology/animal biology not listed above.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 25 Zoology/Animal Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0799, 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 Zoology/Animal Biology programs
Any instructional program in zoology/animal biology not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Zoology/Animal Biology program focuses on the study of animals and their biological processes, catering to students interested in wildlife, conservation, and animal behavior. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about understanding the complexities of animal life and the ecosystems they inhabit. Students will engage in both theoretical and practical learning experiences to prepare for various careers in biological sciences.
In this program, students develop critical skills in critical thinking, active listening, and scientific writing. Coursework typically covers essential knowledge in biology, mathematics, and geography, equipping students with the tools needed to study animal populations and their habitats effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions40%
- Associate's degree8 graduates / yr · 1 institution32%
- Bachelor's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution20%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.0%
Graduates over time
Zoology/Animal Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 40 |
| 2014 | 74 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2025 | 25 |
Top 4 institutions for Zoology/Animal 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 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 67% | — | — |
| 2 | Davidson - Davie Community College Thomasville, NCPublicAssociate's | 8 | 46% | — | $23,733 |
| 3 | Drake University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 74% | $28,855 | — |
| 4 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicMaster's | 2 | 60% | — | — |
* 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 4 states
Where Zoology/Animal Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Zoology/Animal Biology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 1 | 10 | Mississippi State University10 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 8 | Davidson - Davie Community College8 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 5 | Drake University5 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 2 | Boise State University2 / yr |
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 as zoologists and wildlife biologists, with an average annual wage of $72,860. The job outlook for this field indicates little to no change, with approximately 1,400 annual openings expected. A bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this sector.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0799
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 |
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 Zoology/Animal 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 - Wildlife BiologyCIP 26.0709646 graduates / yr26 institutions
- EntomologyCIP 26.0702447 graduates / yr36 institutions
- Animal Behavior and EthologyCIP 26.0708269 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Animal PhysiologyCIP 26.0707partial data235 graduates / yr9 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in Zoology/Animal Biology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, writing, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can become a zoologist, wildlife biologist, or a natural sciences manager.
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 Zoology/Animal Biology?+
Zoology/Animal Biology is CIP 26.0799 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Zoology/Animal Biology (CIP 26.07). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in zoology/animal biology not listed above.
How many institutions offer Zoology/Animal Biology programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Zoology/Animal Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 25 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Zoology/Animal Biology graduates.
How much do Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists occupation, which Zoology/Animal 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 $23,733 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card