2027 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
[Zoology/Animal Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/zoology-animal-biology/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for zoology/animal biology students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology School for You
The zoology/animal biology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Zoology/Animal 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in zoology/animal biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for zoology/animal biology in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $36,824. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in zoology/animal biology will find it at Pikes Peak Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in zoology/animal biology will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $20,039 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $28,461. That is a strong return on a $20,039 median debt.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology/animal biology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in zoology/animal biology will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $14,404. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming came in at #6 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $29,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Humboldt State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $20,690. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $28,565. That is a strong return on a $20,690 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #8 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $21,717 in student loans. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $34,014. That is a strong return on a $21,717 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $37,633. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Washington State University placed #10 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $17,875. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $28,469. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $24,800 in student loans. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $29,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #12 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $42,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $24,872. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $23,888. That is a strong return on a $24,872 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #14 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $24,688. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $27,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $23,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Vermont came in at #16 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $22,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Maine ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Texas A And M University came in at #18 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $21,406. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. 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 came in at #19 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $27,491. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #20 spot for zoology/animal biology value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #21 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Mars Hill College placed #22 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,736. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $26,886. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $43,031. Set against $26,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #23 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $25,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $31,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #25 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $25,000. Zoology/animal 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. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s zoology/animal biology value ranking:
Narrow Zoology/Animal Biology Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Zoology/Animal Biology. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
