by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, wildlife biology was the 563rd most popular major nationwide with 528 degrees awarded. This 45 less than the prior year, a decrease of 8.5%.
This year's Best Wildlife Biology Schools ranking compares 17 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom wildlife biology rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in wildlife biology is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
wildlife biology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional wildlife biology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Wildlife Biology degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in wildlife biology to the highest wildlife biology degree, a . The type of wildlife biology degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to wildlife biology, with approximately 42.4% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to wildlife biology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 42.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 34.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 12.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.2% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 4.2% |
About 52.4% of workers in careers related to wildlife biology obtain at least master's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in wildlife biology careers have.
This of course varies depending on which wildlife biology career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your wildlife biology degree? Wildlife Biology careers are expected to grow 7.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to wildlife biology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 20,900 | 7.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for wildlife biology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for wildlife biology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers wildlife biology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $67,760 |
With over 41 different wildlife biology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased wildlife biology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 5 majors within the Zoology area of study, Wildlife Biology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 1,674 |
| Entomology | 419 |
| Animal Behavior & Ethology | 183 |
| Animal Physiology | 153 |
| Other Zoology/Animal Biology | 27 |
