2026 Best Wildlife Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Wildlife Biology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their wildlife biology programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for wildlife biology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

• Best Wildlife Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Best Schools for Wildlife Biology in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall wildlife biology education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Wildlife Biology

1

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

18 Wildlife Biology Degrees Awarded

$29,303 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked Ohio University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in wildlife biology. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 18 wildlife biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their wildlife biology degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $29,303 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,210. More information about a degree in wildlife biology from Ohio University Main Campus

2

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

26 Wildlife Biology Degrees Awarded

$50,179 Median Starting Salary

Grand Valley State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in wildlife biology, ranking #2. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 26 wildlife biology degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Wildlife Biology graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,179 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete this degree. Read more about the wildlife biology program at Grand Valley State University

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 schools evaluated.

• 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.