Zoology and Animal Biology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the complex biological systems that define animal life through a comprehensive academic focus on zoology and animal biology. This program delves into the structure, function, evolution, and ecological roles of diverse animal species across the tree of life, preparing students for advanced study or careers in biological research, conservation, and related fields.
- Molecular and cell biology: Investigate the fundamental units of life, examining cellular processes, genetic mechanisms, and biochemical pathways that govern animal development and function.
- Microbiology: Study microorganisms in relation to animal hosts, including symbiotic relationships, pathogenic interactions, and the role of microbes in animal health and ecosystems.
- Anatomy and physiology: Analyze the structural organization and functional systems of animal bodies, from organ systems to whole-organism performance across different taxa.
- Ecology and behavior: Examine how animals interact with their environments and each other, exploring patterns of distribution, population dynamics, and adaptive behaviors.
- Evolutionary biology: Trace the origins and diversification of animal life through natural selection, genetic variation, and phylogenetic relationships across species and phyla.
- Species and phylum-specific applications: Apply core biological principles to real-world contexts, focusing on the unique adaptations, life histories, and conservation needs of distinct animal groups.
Zoology and Animal Biology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Zoology and Animal Biology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Zoology and Animal Biology degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary and Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 247,230 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 19-1023 | $72,860 | $48,240 - $113,350 | 16,920 | $35.03 |
| Biological Technicians 19-4021 | $52,000 | $38,060 - $81,990 | 76,190 | $25.00 |
Zoology and Animal Biology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $67,293 in Oklahoma to $119,103 in California—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 247,230 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Zoology and Animal Biology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 46 institutions offering Zoology and Animal Biology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Zoology and Animal Biology is found at University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman Campus (219 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (154 graduates), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (132 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (101 graduates), and Oregon State University (OSU) (100 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,913 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
219 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
154 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
132 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
101 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
100 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
99 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
94 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
79 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
74 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
61 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
60 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
58 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
56 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
49 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Delaware, Ohio | Private | owu.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Arcata, California | Public | humboldt.edu |
| Berry College |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Mount Berry, Georgia | Private | berry.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
25 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Bourbonnais, Illinois | Private | olivet.edu |
| Mars Hill University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Mars Hill, North Carolina | Private | mhu.edu |
| Malone University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Canton, Ohio | Private | malone.edu |
| Delaware Valley University (DelVal) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Private | delval.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Muskingum University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | New Concord, Ohio | Private | muskingum.edu |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Owensboro, Kentucky | Private | kwc.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Western New Mexico University (WNMU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Silver City, New Mexico | Public | wnmu.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Nampa, Idaho | Private | nnu.edu |
| Ohio University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Chillicothe, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| North Idaho College (NIC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Public | nic.edu |
| Hampshire College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | hampshire.edu |
| Bard College at Simon's Rock |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Great Barrington, Massachusetts | Private | simons-rock.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lima, Ohio | Public | lima.osu.edu |
| Ohio University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Zanesville, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Zoology and Animal Biology programs
How much can I earn with a Zoology and Animal Biology degree?
Salaries for Zoology and Animal Biology graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $83,460. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $119,103 compared to $67,293 in Oklahoma. Approximately 247,230 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Zoology and Animal Biology programs?
Currently 46 accredited institutions offer Zoology and Animal Biology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman Campus (219 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (154 graduates), and Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (132 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Zoology and Animal Biology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,033 in 2010 to 1,913 in 2023-24. This represents a 6% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Zoology and Animal Biology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary, and Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. Related occupations employ approximately 247,230 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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