2026 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools in the Southeast Region

[Zoology/Animal Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/zoology-animal-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for zoology/animal biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the zoology/animal biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in zoology/animal biology in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $20,625. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $36,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology/animal biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #3 place for zoology/animal biology. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $42,329 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mars Hill College earned it the #4 place for zoology/animal biology. Located in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,736. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $26,886 in student loans. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $43,031. Set against $26,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Berry College earned it the #5 place for zoology/animal biology. Set in the suburb of Mount Berry, Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,486. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $24,569. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Berry College generally make around $33,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Berry College admits about 64% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #6 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $24,393. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $23,988. Set against $24,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Narrow Zoology/Animal Biology Schools by State
More Zoology/Animal Biology Rankings
View All Zoology/Animal Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 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.