Virginia · Zoology/Animal Biology

Best colleges for Zoology/Animal Biology in Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

Liberty University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees and certificates in Virginia: 32 and 6 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 Virginia colleges offer Zoology/Animal Biology and award 38 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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…

Institutions
2
offering CIP 26.07
States offered
43
with a program page
Degrees / yr
38
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$23,988
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$28,911
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
76%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
$76,780
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$23,9883265%$28,911$24,393

Colleges awarding the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees in Virginia

Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit
32$23,988
2Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Public
6Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists (SOC 19-1023).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.6%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~1,400
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$72,860
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingScienceWriting

What Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
290
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$76,780
median $72,340
Best-paying metro
$78,370
Richmond, VA

Related careers

Biological Technicians
$57,850 avg · 1,820 jobs
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$93,310 avg · 1,760 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$102,970 avg · 1,650 jobs
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
$76,780 avg · 290 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Zoology/Animal Biology programs in Virginia.

Which Virginia colleges award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees?+

Liberty University (32 graduates a year) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (6 graduates a year) award the most Zoology/Animal Biology degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 Virginia colleges offer Zoology/Animal Biology.

Which Zoology/Animal Biology program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Liberty University tops the list at $23,988. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists earn in Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in Virginia is $76,780 (median $72,340), across about 290 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Zoology/Animal Biology program?+

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…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists?+

The national job outlook is about +1.6% growth with around 1,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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