2026 Best Value Zoology Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in zoology, balancing cost against outcomes.
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. Zoology graduates carry a median of $16,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the zoology program here. Zoology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $42,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Mars Hill College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value zoology schools. Located in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,736. Typical student debt for zoology graduates is $26,886. Soon after graduation, zoology degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $43,031. That is a strong return on a $26,886 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lees Mcrae College earned it the #4 place for zoology. Set in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,850. Zoology graduates carry a median of $24,120 in student loans. Early-career zoology graduates make about $24,921. Set against $24,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lees Mcrae College admits about 77% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
[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.
