2026 Best Value Zoology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among zoology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the zoology program here. Early-career zoology graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

2

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Zoology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Zoology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $27,096 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete the zoology program here. Zoology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $23,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

A rank of #4 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for zoology. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,717 to complete the zoology program here. Zoology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

5

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Zoology graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $50,179. Set against $26,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in zoology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $24,800. Zoology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

7

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #7 position for value in zoology this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Zoology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $25,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for zoology value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,210 to complete the zoology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $29,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #9 among the best values for zoology. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Zoology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Zoology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

10

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University earned the #10 position for value in zoology this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the zoology program here. Zoology graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

11

Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University placed #11 among the best values for zoology. Located in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,248. Students borrow a median of $26,646 to complete the zoology program here. Zoology graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $29,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,646 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

12

Malone University
Canton, OH

Malone University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology schools. Located in the city of Canton, Malone University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,160. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the zoology program here. Zoology graduates of Malone University earn a median of $48,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

13

Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University placed #13 among the best values for zoology. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $27,000. Early-career zoology graduates make about $25,303. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

14

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the zoology program here. Early-career zoology graduates make about $28,071. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.