by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Zoology/Animal Biology involves the study of Zoology/animal Biology. A General Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Biology Of Animal Species And Phyla, With Reference To Their Molecular And Cellular Systems, Anatomy, Physiology, And Behavior. Includes Instruction In Molecular And Cell Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy And Physiology, Ecology And Behavior, Evolutionary Biology, And Applications To Specific Species And Phyla. Continue reading for the important information every zoology/animal biology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering zoology/animal biology programs.
Nationwide, zoology/animal biology is a widely-pursued major, with 1,913 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Zoology/Animal Biology Schools ranking analyzes these 46 schools to determine the best overall colleges for zoology/animal biology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of zoology/animal biology programs later in this article.
Programs in Zoology/Animal Biology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations zoology/animal biology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a zoology/animal biology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a zoology/animal biology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several zoology/animal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 21 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,738 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 75 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 74 |
People currently working in careers related to zoology/animal biology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.0% |
| Master’s degree | 17.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in zoology/animal biology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in zoology/animal biology opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to zoology/animal biology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to zoology/animal biology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 159,217 | -1.2% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of zoology/animal 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 zoology/animal biology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers zoology/animal biology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $55,554 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 46 different zoology/animal biology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased zoology/animal biology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in zoology/animal biology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Biology | 576 |
| Entomology | 452 |
| Animal Behavior and Ethology | 267 |
| Animal Physiology | 166 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology, Other | 34 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
