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2026 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools in Illinois

[Zoology/Animal Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/zoology/zoology-animal-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value zoology/animal biology schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools in Illinois

2026 Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the zoology/animal biology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Zoology/Animal Biology Schools

1

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

$13,334 In-State Tuition & Fees

$21,717 Avg Student Debt

$53,390 Median Earnings (10yr)

For return on investment in zoology/animal biology, no school beat Southern Illinois University Carbondale this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. 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. Zoology/animal Biology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,014 early in their careers. Set against $21,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

2

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

$38,900 In-State Tuition & Fees

$26,797 Avg Student Debt

$53,213 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Olivet Nazarene University one of the best values for zoology/animal biology. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

View All Zoology/Animal Biology Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.