2027 Best Value Wildlife Biology Schools
[Wildlife Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/wildlife-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong wildlife biology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value wildlife biology schools.
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Finding the Best Value Wildlife Biology School for You
The right wildlife biology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Wildlife Biology 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.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Wildlife Biology 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.
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2027 Best Value Wildlife Biology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the wildlife biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Wildlife Biology Schools
For return on investment in wildlife biology, no school beat Davidson County Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, with out-of-state students paying around $6,588. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $16,693 in student loans. Early-career wildlife biology graduates make about $23,733. Set against $16,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in wildlife biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wyoming one of the best values for wildlife biology. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for wildlife biology graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, wildlife biology degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $29,359. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #4 place for wildlife biology. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for wildlife biology graduates is $16,191. Wildlife Biology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #5 place for wildlife biology. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career wildlife biology graduates make about $24,457. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife biology schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the wildlife biology program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife biology degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Set against $26,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University came in at #7 for value in wildlife biology this year. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for wildlife biology graduates is $19,500. Early-career wildlife biology graduates make about $29,851. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #8 for value in wildlife biology this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the wildlife biology program here. Soon after graduation, wildlife biology degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $22,264. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Maine came in at #9 for value in wildlife biology this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, wildlife biology degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $35,130. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry landed the #10 spot for wildlife biology value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Median earnings reach $55,763 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Dakota placed #11 among the best values for wildlife biology. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the wildlife biology program here. Early-career wildlife biology graduates make about $24,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont came in at #12 for value in wildlife biology this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Wildlife Biology graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $22,321 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #13 for value in wildlife biology this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for wildlife biology graduates is $24,853. Wildlife Biology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $26,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife biology schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for wildlife biology graduates is $21,406. Wildlife Biology graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Set against $21,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Oregon State University earned the #15 position for value in wildlife biology this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Wildlife 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.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #16 among the best values for wildlife biology. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the wildlife biology program here. Wildlife Biology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $27,741 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife biology schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $25,210 in student loans. Wildlife Biology graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,210 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Keystone College came in at #18 for value in wildlife biology this year. Located in the suburb of La Plume, Keystone College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,300. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $28,226 in student loans. Wildlife Biology graduates of Keystone College earn a median of $33,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Lees Mcrae College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value wildlife biology schools. Set in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,850 in tuition and fees. Wildlife Biology graduates carry a median of $24,120 in student loans. Early-career wildlife biology 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.
Liberty University earned the #20 position for value in wildlife biology this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $24,393 to complete the wildlife biology program here. Wildlife Biology graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $23,988 early in their careers. Set against $24,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
