2027 Best Value Zoology Schools in North Carolina

[Zoology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value zoology schools.
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2027 Best Value Zoology Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the zoology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Zoology Schools
For return on investment in zoology, no school beat Davidson County Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Early-career zoology graduates make about $23,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for zoology. 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. Zoology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $42,329. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Mars Hill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,886 to complete the zoology program here. Early-career zoology graduates make about $43,031. That is a strong return on a $26,886 median debt. Mars Hill College admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lees Mcrae College earned it the #4 place for zoology. Located in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,850. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $24,120. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Lees Mcrae College generally make around $24,921. Set against $24,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.