[Zoology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for zoology students.
The zoology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Zoology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Zoology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in zoology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the zoology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $36,824. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Davidson County Community College earned it the #2 place for zoology. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,693 to complete the zoology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $23,733. Set against $16,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #3 place for zoology. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $14,404. Zoology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Zoology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Zoology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for zoology. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Zoology graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Zoology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology schools. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the zoology program here. Early-career zoology graduates make about $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
University Of Wyoming placed #7 among the best values for zoology. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Zoology graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $29,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Weber State University earned the #8 position for value in zoology this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Zoology graduates carry a median of $20,039 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $28,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Humboldt State University landed the #9 spot for zoology value this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $20,690. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $28,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside landed the #10 spot for zoology value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Zoology graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Zoology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #11 for value in zoology this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $21,717. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $34,014. Set against $21,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #12 spot for zoology value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Zoology graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Zoology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $37,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Zoology graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $28,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Utah State University landed the #14 spot for zoology value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Zoology graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Zoology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #15 among the best values for zoology. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $23,250. Zoology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $27,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #16 position for value in zoology this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $12,184. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $24,457. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in zoology this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Zoology graduates carry a median of $24,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $29,996. That is a strong return on a $24,800 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Zoology graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $50,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #19 spot for zoology value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Zoology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $42,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $19,500. Zoology graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $29,851 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #21 for value in zoology this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $22,386. Zoology graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Carroll University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology schools. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Zoology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $25,303. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete the zoology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $23,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology schools. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Students borrow a median of $24,688 to complete the zoology program here. Zoology graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $27,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for zoology value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Zoology graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $23,031. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Zoology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s zoology value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
