2027 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Zoology/Animal Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/zoology-animal-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong zoology/animal biology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for zoology/animal biology students.
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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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in zoology/animal biology in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $23,809. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in zoology/animal biology will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $20,039. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $28,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for zoology/animal biology. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #4 place for zoology/animal biology. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $14,404. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in zoology/animal biology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $29,359 early in their careers. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Humboldt State University landed the #6 spot for zoology/animal biology value this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $20,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $28,565. Set against $20,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #7 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,717 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $23,366. That is a strong return on a $21,717 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #8 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, 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. That is a strong return on a $15,501 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Washington State University placed #9 among the best values for zoology/animal biology. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. 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. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #10 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, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. 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. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #11 spot for zoology/animal biology value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $25,069. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #12 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $23,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #13 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $24,688. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $27,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $23,031. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Vermont landed the #15 spot for zoology/animal biology value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $23,250. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $22,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University came in at #17 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Students borrow a median of $21,406 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $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 earned the #18 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Zoology/animal 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.
Michigan State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $26,801. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #20 for value in zoology/animal biology this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical student debt for zoology/animal biology graduates is $26,797. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. That is a strong return on a $26,797 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Mars Hill College earned the #21 position for value in zoology/animal biology this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,886 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $43,031. That is a strong return on a $26,886 median debt. Mars Hill College admits about 68% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the zoology/animal biology program here. Soon after graduation, zoology/animal biology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $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 #23 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, 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. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #24 among the best values for zoology/animal 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, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $27,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Ohio Wesleyan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value zoology/animal biology schools. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,248. Zoology/animal Biology graduates carry a median of $26,646 in student loans. Early-career zoology/animal biology graduates make about $29,547. Set against $26,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s zoology/animal biology value ranking:
Other Zoology/Animal Biology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value zoology/animal biology schools at other degree levels:
View All Zoology/Animal Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.