Zoology/Animal Biology Degree
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.
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 | 8,500 | +3.7% | 50% | |
| Biological scientists, all other | 4,800 | +1.2% | 49% | |
| Biological science teachers, postsecondary | 5,400 | +7.3% | 47% | |
| Zoologists and wildlife biologists | 1,400 | +1.6% | 45% | |
| Biological technicians | 9,100 | +3.5% | 42% |
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.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco State University | $41,565/yr | 51 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | $37,633/yr | 36 |
| University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus | $35,618/yr | 42 |
| University of Connecticut-Avery Point | $35,618/yr | 42 |
| University of Connecticut-Stamford | $35,618/yr | 42 |
| University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus | $35,618/yr | 42 |
| University of Connecticut | $35,618/yr | 40 |
| University of Maine | $35,130/yr | 31 |
| Berry College | $33,258/yr | 23 |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | $33,115/yr | 38 |
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 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
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.