by our College Data Analytics TeamZoology/Animal Biology was the 322nd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,674 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 6.0% reduction in zoology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,775.
Our 2023 Best Zoology/Animal Biology Schools ranking analyzes 29 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for zoology/animal biology students. Explore this or one of our many other custom zoology rankings further below.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to zoology. 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 communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific zoology careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Zoology degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in zoology/animal biology to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common zoology degree levels is shown below.
| 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 zoology, with approximately 39.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to zoology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 38.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 24.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 17.7% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 10.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 2.9% |
Most workers in zoology have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in zoology/animal biology careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the zoology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your zoology degree? Zoology/Animal Biology careers are expected to grow 11.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to zoology/animal biology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 20,900 | 7.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for zoology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for zoology/animal biology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers zoology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $67,760 |
With over 110 different zoology 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 zoology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 5 majors within the Zoology area of study, Zoology/Animal Biology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Biology | 528 |
| Entomology | 419 |
| Animal Behavior & Ethology | 183 |
| Animal Physiology | 153 |
| Other Zoology/Animal Biology | 27 |
