[Zoology/Animal Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/zoology-animal-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for zoology/animal biology students.
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Finding the Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology School for You
Where you study zoology/animal biology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for zoology/animal biology in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $20,625. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $36,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Weber State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $20,039 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $28,461. That is a strong return on a $20,039 median debt.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology/animal biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $29,359. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the best values for zoology/animal biology. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $37,633 early in their careers. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Pikes Peak Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology/animal biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Humboldt State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $20,690. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $28,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #9 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $28,469 early in their careers. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #10 spot for zoology/animal biology value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $24,872. Zoology/animal Biology 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. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #11 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $42,329. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for zoology/animal biology value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #13 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. 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/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,014 early in their careers. Set against $21,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $23,375. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $30,931 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for zoology/animal biology value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,800 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $29,996. Set against $24,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $24,688. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $27,922. That is a strong return on a $24,688 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $35,130. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Oregon State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $27,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #19 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $25,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $27,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $25,210. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $29,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Mars Hill College placed #22 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Set in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,886 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Mars Hill College earn a median of $43,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #23 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $17,500. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $31,485. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #24 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $27,000. Zoology/animal Biology 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%.
University Of Vermont ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $23,250. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $22,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s zoology/animal biology value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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).
[Zoology/Animal Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/zoology-animal-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
