2026 Best Value Zoology Schools in California
[Zoology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value zoology schools.
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2026 Best Value Zoology Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the zoology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Zoology Schools
Humboldt State University earned the #1 spot for value among zoology schools in California. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Zoology graduates carry a median of $20,690 in student loans. Zoology graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $28,565 early in their careers. Set against $20,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Riverside earned it the #2 place for zoology. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the zoology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in zoology will find it at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Zoology graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $37,633. That is a strong return on a $15,501 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Zoology graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
