2026 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
[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.
What’s on this page:
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.
Read more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
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.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in zoology/animal biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
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:
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Notes and References
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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
