Cheapest Zoology/Animal Biology Colleges

Ohio University operates five regional campuses that make zoology education remarkably accessible, with net costs ranging from just $4,503 at the Eastern Campus to $6,483 at Chillicothe. These programs serve students across Appalachian Ohio, where wildlife rehabilitation centers and state parks create steady demand for animal biology graduates. The cost difference between Ohio's most affordable option and flagship programs like UC San Diego ($11,750) demonstrates how geography shapes educational expenses. While Ohio's regional campuses show graduation rates between 12% and 20%, they provide entry points into a field where even modest salaries of $19,797 can support careers in zoos, veterinary clinics, and conservation organizations. The Midwest's agricultural economy supports numerous animal-related industries, from livestock management to wildlife research, making these affordable programs particularly valuable for students seeking practical training without major debt burdens.

Programs

$4,503 – $17,485

Net Price Range

$25,340

Avg. Program Earnings

61.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Zoology/Animal Biology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, Ohio	$4,503	$6,178	20.0%
2	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, Ohio	$5,328	$6,178	19.3%
3	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, Ohio	$5,971	$6,178	17.7%
4	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, Ohio	$6,133	$6,178	13.7%
5	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
6	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, Ohio	$6,483	$6,178	12.1%
7	Western New Mexico University Silver City, New Mexico	$7,912	$7,868	34.9%
8	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, Connecticut	$8,896	$17,462	59.5%	97.9%
9	Weber State University Ogden, Utah	$10,722	$6,391	43.0%
10	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, Connecticut	$11,504	$17,462	56.7%	97.4%
11	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
12	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
13	University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming	$11,779	$6,938	59.8%	96.0%
14	University of Michigan-Flint Flint, Michigan	$12,280	$14,014	44.6%	66.4%
15	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
16	San Francisco State University San Francisco, California	$12,882	$7,424	50.1%	94.2%
17	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, California	$13,167	$7,913	46.6%	98.2%
18	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, Hawaii	$13,181	$12,186	62.6%	72.8%
19	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, Connecticut	$13,339	$17,452	65.4%	97.3%
20	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
21	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
22	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
23	University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho	$13,782	$8,816	60.9%	73.9%
24	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
25	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$13,825	$14,965	85.3%	25.9%
26	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
27	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, Connecticut	$14,059	$17,472	56.9%	92.2%
28	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
29	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
30	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona	$14,922	$12,652	56.9%	80.0%
31	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
32	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
33	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
34	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
35	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
36	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
37	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$16,177	$13,244	56.3%	91.5%
38	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$16,334	$10,857	63.7%	95.7%
39	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	$16,378	$10,234	65.9%	70.6%
40	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$16,438	$11,450	56.2%	87.7%
41	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
42	University of Delaware Newark, Delaware	$16,931	$16,080	78.8%	73.8%
43	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
44	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
45	University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky	$17,218	$13,212	69.9%	94.9%
46	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
47	Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho	$17,324	$8,356	38.3%
48	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	$17,413	$9,595	75.3%	72.9%
49	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
50	Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan	$17,485	$13,304	50.8%	70.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between Ohio University campuses and other affordable programs?

Ohio University's regional campuses offer net costs starting at $4,503, nearly $2,000 less than University of Florida at $6,351. These branch campuses serve smaller communities with lower operating costs and reduced amenities. However, graduation rates at Ohio's regional campuses range from just 12% to 20%, compared to Florida's 91.5% completion rate.

How do earnings compare between the most affordable programs?

University of Florida graduates earn $19,797 despite the school's $6,351 net cost, while University of Connecticut graduates earn $30,771 at campuses costing $8,896 to $11,504. Utah State University offers strong value with $30,771 earnings and a $12,869 net cost. Weber State graduates earn $26,585 with a moderate $10,722 net price point.

Is there a regional advantage to studying zoology in certain states?

Western states like Utah and Wyoming show strong earning potential, with Utah State and University of Wyoming graduates both earning around $28,000-$30,000 annually. These states benefit from extensive public lands requiring wildlife management expertise. Ohio's programs serve different markets focused on agricultural and veterinary support rather than wildlife conservation careers.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program affordability in zoology?

The most selective affordable option, UC San Diego, accepts just 23.7% of applicants with an $11,750 net cost. University of Florida maintains similar selectivity at 23.4% acceptance for $6,351. Meanwhile, schools like University of Wyoming accept 96% of applicants while still maintaining reasonable costs at $11,779 and strong graduation rates at 59.8%.

What debt levels should students expect from these affordable programs?

University of Florida offers the best debt outcome at $17,603, while Ohio University campuses average $23,356 in student debt. Weber State keeps debt reasonable at $18,532 with strong earnings potential. University of Connecticut campuses show higher debt at $23,250 but justify this with the highest graduate earnings at $30,771.

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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.