by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 48 U.S. colleges awarded 1,750 degrees and certificates in Zoology/Animal Biology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 90% of graduates. College Factual ranks 32 schools in its 2027 Best Zoology/Animal Biology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $29,186 one year after completing, rising to $49,957 after four years.
A degree in Zoology/Animal Biology involves the study of Zoology/animal Biology. A General Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Biology Of Animal Species And Phyla, With Reference To Their Molecular And Cellular Systems, Anatomy, Physiology, And Behavior. Includes Instruction In Molecular And Cell Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy And Physiology, Ecology And Behavior, Evolutionary Biology, And Applications To Specific Species And Phyla.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, zoology/animal biology is a widely-pursued major, with 1,750 degrees awarded annually. 48 colleges award zoology/animal biology degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 137.
By level, the 1,750 awards include 8 certificates, 24 associate degrees, 1,580 bachelor’s degrees, 78 master’s degrees and 60 doctorates.
Women earned 75% of zoology/animal biology degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,311 of 1,750). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,242) and Hispanic or Latino (224), and international students earned 31.
College Factual ranks 32 schools in its 2027 Best Zoology/Animal Biology Schools ranking, including 31 for bachelor’s degrees, 3 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks zoology/animal biology schools within 20 states. In all, 48 colleges offer zoology/animal biology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common zoology/animal biology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,580 of the 1,750 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to zoology/animal biology call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
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How long a zoology/animal biology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 24 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,580 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 78 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 60 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to zoology/animal biology, at 43.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.0% |
| Master’s degree | 17.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Zoology/Animal Biology, with an average median salary of $103,273; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Technicians, at 12.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator and Postdoctoral Researcher.
The occupation related to zoology/animal biology with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 159,217 | -1.2% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn a median $29,186 one year after completing their program, $49,957 after four years and $51,678 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,186 |
| 4 years | $49,957 |
| 5 years | $51,678 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to zoology/animal biology is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $55,554 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
Zoology/Animal Biology has 5 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 1,697 degrees a year; the largest are Wildlife Biology (650), Entomology (476) and Animal Behavior and Ethology (308). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Biology | 650 |
| Entomology | 476 |
| Animal Behavior and Ethology | 308 |
| Animal Physiology | 238 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology, Other | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
