by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Wildlife Biology covers 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. 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. Examples: [Wildlife And Conservation Biology]. Continue reading for the essential details every wildlife biology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering wildlife biology programs.
Across the country, wildlife biology draws strong interest, with 576 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Wildlife Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for wildlife biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of wildlife biology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Wildlife Biology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations wildlife biology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a wildlife biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a wildlife biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several wildlife biology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 21 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 523 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 28 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to wildlife biology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.6% |
| Master’s degree | 34.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in wildlife biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in wildlife biology can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to wildlife biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to wildlife biology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 159,217 | -1.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of wildlife biology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,186 |
| 4 years | $39,528 |
| 5 years | $51,678 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for wildlife biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers wildlife biology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $55,554 |
With 26 different wildlife biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased wildlife biology school rankings to help you.
Those considering wildlife biology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 1,913 |
| Entomology | 452 |
| Animal Behavior and Ethology | 267 |
| Animal Physiology | 166 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology, Other | 34 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
