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Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

University of Florida delivers the strongest financial return for Zoology/Animal Biology students with a net cost of just $6,351 and in-state tuition of $6,381, though graduates earn $19,797 annually. This creates an unusual changing where the most affordable program produces the lowest starting salaries among top value options. San Francisco State University graduates command the highest earnings at $33,077, reflecting California's concentration of marine research facilities and the National Park Service's western regional headquarters. The data reveals a clear cost-benefit tension across public universities, with Connecticut's regional campuses offering mid-range affordability between $8,896-$14,059 in net costs while producing graduates earning $30,771. Utah and Wyoming programs balance reasonable in-state rates around $6,000-$9,000 with solid career prospects, benefiting from proximity to federal land management agencies and wildlife research stations. Most programs maintain acceptance rates above 90%, making animal biology education accessible to students willing to navigate the field's modest starting salaries.
50
Programs
$5,971 – $37,109
Net Price Range
$24,990
Avg. Program Earnings
63.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Zoology/Animal Biology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,896 $30,771 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
2 $6,351 $19,797 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
3 $11,504 $30,771 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
4 $12,882 $33,077 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
5 $10,722 $26,585 $6,391 43.0%
6 $11,779 $28,870 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
7 $12,869 $30,771 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
8 $13,339 $30,771 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
9 $14,059 $30,771 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
10 $12,280 $25,194 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
11 $14,401 $26,850 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
12 $16,334 $28,816 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
13 $16,928 $28,381 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
14 $16,378 $25,194 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
15 $14,487 $22,192 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
16 $13,825 $20,687 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
17 $18,292 $26,022 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
18 $20,924 $29,685 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
19 $17,485 $24,532 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
20 $17,231 $24,035 $8,769 60.4% 82.6%
21 $20,413 $28,348 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
22 $15,323 $21,234 $9,998 52.1% 87.9%
23 $16,177 $22,329 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
24 $18,217 $24,863 $12,640 57.0% 94.3%
25 $22,886 $30,771 $20,366 83.8% 54.5%
26 $16,438 $22,094 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
27 $17,883 $23,649 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
28 $20,332 $26,694 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
29 $24,362 $31,839 $37,230 69.6% 72.1%
30 $17,722 $22,964 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
31 $18,322 $23,108 $32,720 70.7% 77.7%
32 $13,167 $16,345 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
33 $17,413 $21,508 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
34 $20,751 $25,194 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
35 $19,568 $22,964 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
36 $19,614 $22,880 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
37 $20,860 $23,069 $18,890 78.6% 59.8%
38 $23,261 $25,194 $19,112 76.4% 87.0%
39 $20,261 $21,508 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
40 $18,730 $19,683 $9,206 69.9% 69.5%
41 $16,931 $16,580 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
42 $21,619 $20,140 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
43 $27,662 $24,035 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
44 $27,243 $22,970 $43,300 52.2% 95.4%
45 $25,765 $20,596 $31,140 44.2% 61.3%
46 $37,109 $25,194 $42,550 60.8% 96.3%
47 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
48 $33,011 $50,374 67.6% 65.1%
49 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
50 $21,461 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the gap between University of Florida's low costs and modest graduate earnings?

Florida charges just $6,381 in-state tuition with a $6,351 net cost, making it the most affordable option. However, graduates earn $19,797 annually, the lowest among value programs. This reflects Florida's competitive entry-level wildlife job market and the prevalence of seasonal research positions. The state's 91.50% graduation rate suggests students complete degrees successfully despite lower immediate earning potential.

How do Connecticut's regional campuses compare for Zoology students?

Connecticut's four campuses show identical graduate earnings of $30,771 but vary significantly in net costs and outcomes. Waterbury offers the best value at $8,896 net cost, while Stamford costs $14,059. Hartford achieves the highest graduation rate at 65.40% compared to Avery Point's 56.70%. All maintain acceptance rates above 92%, providing multiple pathways into the University of Connecticut system.

Is San Francisco State worth the higher costs for animal biology majors?

San Francisco State graduates earn $33,077, the highest among all programs, justifying its $12,882 net cost. The university benefits from proximity to marine research institutions and California's environmental agencies. Students graduate with just $11,000 in debt, well below the national average. The 94.20% acceptance rate makes admission accessible despite the strong earning potential.

Does University of Wisconsin-Madison justify its higher net costs?

Wisconsin-Madison charges $16,928 in net costs, among the highest on this list, but delivers an 89.30% graduation rate second only to Florida. Graduates earn $28,381 annually and face moderate debt of $23,250. The 49.06% acceptance rate reflects competitive admission standards. The program benefits from Wisconsin's forestry industry and Great Lakes research opportunities.

Where do western public universities offer the best combination of affordability and outcomes?

Utah State University provides strong value with $12,869 net costs and graduates earning $30,771 annually. University of Wyoming offers lower net costs at $11,779 with $28,870 in graduate earnings. Both benefit from proximity to national parks and federal wildlife management positions. Weber State provides the most affordable option at $10,722 net cost, though with lower graduation rates at 43%.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.