Zoology/Animal Biology Degree

55 schools compared · Average earnings $28,449/yr

Students study animal physiology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and biodiversity across species from invertebrates to mammals. Graduates typically pursue careers in wildlife biology, zoo management, animal conservation, veterinary medicine preparation, environmental consulting, and museum curation. This major is ideal for students fascinated by the animal kingdom who want careers in conservation or animal science.

What Zoology/Animal Biology Graduates Do

Your career likely won't start with tracking lions on the savanna. Many Zoology graduates begin as biological technicians, spending their days collecting field samples, running lab tests, and meticulously maintaining equipment. From there, your path can branch significantly. You might advance into a more specialized role as a zoologist or wildlife biologist, designing and conducting studies on animal populations, though these jobs are highly competitive with slow growth. Alternatively, you could move into management, becoming a natural sciences manager where you'll trade fieldwork for overseeing entire research programs, securing funding, and leading teams.

A faster-growing path is in education, where you could become a postsecondary biology teacher, inspiring the next generation of scientists. Across these roles, AI is becoming a powerful assistant. With moderate exposure (46%), expect AI to automate routine data analysis and sample processing. This won't eliminate your job, but it will change it, shifting your focus toward complex problem-solving, experimental design, and hands-on fieldwork that machines can't replicate. Adaptability is key, as your value will lie in using these tools to answer bigger questions.

Schools Offering
55
Avg Grad Earnings
$28,449/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
28/100
AI Automation Risk
High
51% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Zoology/Animal Biology graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 29,200 combined openings per year.

Career Path Salary Range Openings/yr Growth AI Risk
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
$114K$215K
8,500 +3.7% 50%
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330
$68K$121K
4,800 +1.2% 49%
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
$83,460
$64K$125K
5,400 +7.3% 47%
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
$72,860
$58K$91K
1,400 +1.6% 45%
Biological technicians
$52,000
$45K–$66K
9,100 +3.5% 42%
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
$114K $215K
8,500 openings/yr +3.7% growth 50% AI risk
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330
$68K $121K
4,800 openings/yr +1.2% growth 49% AI risk
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
$83,460
$64K $125K
5,400 openings/yr +7.3% growth 47% AI risk
Zoologists and wildlife biologists
$72,860
$58K $91K
1,400 openings/yr +1.6% growth 45% AI risk
Biological technicians
$52,000
$45K–$66K
9,100 openings/yr +3.5% growth 42% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Zoology/Animal Biology

Top 20 of 55 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA
51
46–52
$41,565/yr 19.1x
2 University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus
Waterbury, CT
42
39–42
$35,618/yr 9.5x
3 University of Connecticut-Avery Point
Groton, CT
42
39–42
$35,618/yr 9.5x
4 University of Connecticut-Stamford
Stamford, CT
42
39–42
$35,618/yr 9.5x
5 University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus
Hartford, CT
42
39–42
$35,618/yr 9.5x
6 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Norman, OK
41
39–42
$30,931/yr 15.7x
7 University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
40
37–41
$35,618/yr 8.0x
8 Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, OH
39
37–40
$29,303/yr 21.3x
9 Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH
39
37–40
$29,303/yr 21.3x
10 Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH
39
37–40
$29,303/yr 21.3x
11 Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH
39
37–40
$29,303/yr 21.3x
12 Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH
39
37–40
$29,303/yr 21.3x
13 North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Fargo, ND
38
35–38
$33,115/yr 12.0x
14 Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
38
36–39
$30,736/yr 16.3x
15 University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
37
36–38
$23,809/yr 21.9x
16 University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
36
32–37
$37,633/yr 7.9x
17 Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
34
32–34
$24,457/yr 18.8x
18 University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY
32
30–32
$29,359/yr 14.9x
19 Weber State University
Ogden, UT
32
30–33
$28,461/yr 16.3x
20 University of Maine
Orono, ME
31
28–31
$35,130/yr 6.0x

Highest Earning Zoology/Animal Biology Programs

Schools where Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Zoology/Animal Biology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Zoology/Animal Biology.

School ROI Multiple Earnings DW Score
University of Florida 21.9x $23,809/yr 37
Ohio University-Eastern Campus 21.3x $29,303/yr 39
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus 21.3x $29,303/yr 39
Ohio University-Southern Campus 21.3x $29,303/yr 39
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus 21.3x $29,303/yr 39
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus 21.3x $29,303/yr 39
San Francisco State University 19.1x $41,565/yr 51
Brigham Young University 18.8x $24,457/yr 34
Tarleton State University 16.3x $30,736/yr 38
Weber State University 16.3x $28,461/yr 32
Want to compare two Zoology/Animal Biology programs side by side? Use the comparison tool →

Related Majors

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Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Zoology/Animal Biology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn?
Across 55 schools, Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn an average of $28,449 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $17,085 to $41,565 depending on the school.
What is the AI automation risk for Zoology/Animal Biology?
Zoology/Animal Biology is rated "High" for AI automation risk, with an average of 51% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means most career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.
Which school has the best Zoology/Animal Biology program?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), San Francisco State University ranks #1 for Zoology/Animal Biology with a score of 51/100 and graduate earnings of $41,565/yr.
What's the outlook for a Zoology/Animal Biology degree?
On average, Zoology/Animal Biology graduates earn 8.9x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a moderate return — school choice matters significantly.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →