Last Updated on July 30, 2023
In recent times, a lot of people has developed an interest in the animal science career. Therefore, we have compiled 15 top colleges that are widely known for research in zoology.
The Zoology discipline is offered under the Biological Sciences Faculty at the University and is widely known for its world-class facilities including a well-equipped library and excellent computing facilities.
Read more about Best universities for Zoology, Best universities for Zoology in Europe, Best Zoology Colleges in the world, and Best Zoology graduate programs.
University of Cambridge
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| 21,732 GBP | 21% | 83% |
The University of Cambridge is a public research university in Cambridge, United Kingdom that was founded in 1209. The school has a total enrollment of 21,656 students.
UC has six academic Faculties including the Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Technology
The Zoology discipline is offered under the Biological Sciences Faculty at the University and is widely known for its world-class facilities including a well-equipped library and excellent computing facilities.
Also, the UC Museum of Zoology is one of the prominent university museums of the world and that makes the school one of the best colleges in zoology and wildlife biology.
Additionally, the school ranks the 7th position in World University according to the Qs Global world Ranking.
University of Oxford
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| 9,250 GBP | 17.5% | 75.0%. |
The University of Oxford is a research institution located in Oxford, England. The school was established in 1096 and has an enrollment of 23,975 students and
1,791 staffs.
Basically, the school offers zoology as a course in the biological sciences discipline at the undergraduate level also, the graduate program is offered by the Department of Zoology.
In addition, UO has a Global score of 87.2, first position in Books and also the 6th in Global research reputation according to 2021 Indicator Rankings.
Harvard University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $51,925 | 5% | 98% |
Harvard University is a private research institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. the school was founded in 1636 and has the total enrollment of 6,800 undergraduate students and about 14,000 postgraduate students.
The school is known for its widely known for its excellence in teaching and research and undergraduate programs are offered in various disciplines of Zoology.
Harvard University is ranked 34th in best undergraduate teachings, 2nd position in the National Universities ranking and Best value schools.
University of Melbourne
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| 39,168 AUD | 15% | 85% |
The University of Melbourne is a public research institution located in Parkville, Melbourne, Australia. The school was founded in 1853 and has a total enrollment of 48,088 students.
The 2021 Indicator Rankings shows that the school has 78.8 Global scores and is 1st position in Regional research reputation
UM is widely known as one of the best colleges for zoology and also offers other degree options including agriculture, arts, biomedicine, commerce, design, environments, and science.
Additionally, the school ranks the 38th position in world university ranking according to the QS Global World Ranking.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $53,790 | 7% | 94% |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research school located in Cambridge. The institution was founded in 1861 and has a total enrollment of 11,574 students.
Basically, MIT focuses on scientific and technological research and has five sub-divisions. Zoology degree is offered under Biological science discipline.
In addition, the university ranks the 3rd position in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities and 4th position in best value schools.
University College London
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| 17,710 GBP | 13.5% | 94.8% |
University College London is a public research school located in London, United Kingdom. The school was established in 1826 and has a total of 41,539 students and 7,070 academic staff.
Basically, UCL has 11 academic Faculty including arts and humanities, brain sciences, engineering, education, laws, life sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, medical sciences among others. The school also offers a wide range of research in zoology and other disciplines.
Data from that USnews ranking shows that UCL has a global score of 82.4, ranks 3rd position in Publications, 4th position in Books and 5th position in Total citations.
Stanford University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $53,529 | 5% | 95% |
Stanford University is a private research college located in Stanford, California. The school was established in 1885 and currently has a total enrollment of 7,087 students. SU is ranked the 6th position in National Universities and 14th position in the best undergraduate teachings.
The school student-faculty ratio is 5:1, and 68.8 percent of its classes with less than 20 students. Stanford University is well known for research and that makes the school one of the best colleges for zoology. Apart from Zoology degree, SU also offers other varies of disciplines including Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Social Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
Yale University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $55,500 | 6% | 96% |
Yale University is a private research college located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school was founded in 1701 and has a total enrollment of 5,964 students with a student-faculty ratio of 6:1.
Basically, the school has 12 professional schools and widely known as one of the best colleges for zoology and is offered under the Biological science major. Also, the other major courses include Social Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, History, Mathematics, and Statistics.
In addition, Yale ranks the 3rd position in National universities and the 14th position in the best undergraduate teaching.
Cornell University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $57,222 | 14% | 93% |
Cornell University is a private research university in Ithaca, New York. The school was established in the year 1865 and has a total enrollment of 15,182 undergraduates.
At CU, the zoology degree is offered under the Biological and Biomedical Science Graduate-program in the faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The school ranks 17th position in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities and also 61th position in the Best Undergraduate teachings.
University of California, Los Angeles
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| 39,602 USD | 18% | 91% |
The University of California is a public research university located in Los Angeles and was founded in 1919. The school has a total enrollment of 45,930 students.
UCLA comprises the College of Sciences and a number of graduate schools and programs. The Zoology discipline is offered under the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Data from the USnews rankings shows that the school ranks the 20th position in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities, 4th position in the Best college of veterans and also 76th position in the Best undergraduate teachings.
University of Wisconsin
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $37,785 | 53% | 84% |
The University of Wisconsin is located in Madison and is a public research university that was founded in 1848. The school is one of the largest systems of public higher education in the country with a collection of 26 campuses and has a total enrollment of 44,413 students. UW ranks 46th position in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities.
The college offers many varieties of degree programs but widely recognized as one of the best schools for zoology. The graduates of zoology boost of around 23.3% earnings above the typical income of zoology graduates.
Miami University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| 32,555 USD | 65% | 79% |
If you want to take up a degree in Zoology has to take a look at Miami University- Oxford. The school was established in 1809 and it is a world-class public research institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,326.
MU—Oxford ranks 91st position in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities. The unique thing about taking up a zoology degree in this college is that Students get 15.4% more than the standard college graduate with the same degree.
Additionally, the schools conduct a thorough assessment that sets you up for success by pairing you with various disciplines and careers that suits your personality.
Texas A&M University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $37,726 | 67% | 79% |
Texas A&M University is one of the best colleges for a zoology degree. It is a public research institution that was founded in 1876 and located in College Station of Texas. A&M-College Station is ranked 70th position in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities.
A&M is one of the oldest higher institutions in Texas and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 53,743. The school offers various programs but it is widely known as an Agricultural and Mechanical College. In addition, they also offer a degree in Zoology at both the bachelor and graduate level.
Colorado State University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $12,058 | 78% | 65% |
If you wish to study Zoology, Colorado State University is a good option. CSU is a public research college located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school was founded in 1870 and has an enrollment of approximately 33,877 undergraduate students.
The school offers a variety of degree programs including bachelors and graduate degrees in zoology. In the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, the college ranked 166th position and 56 positions in Best undergraduate teachings.
North Carolina State University
| TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE | GRADUATION RATE |
| $29,220 | 48.1% | 75% |
North Carolina State University is a public research school located in Raleigh. The school was established in 1887 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,390.
NC State has a variety of academic Faculties and sub-departments that serve both bachelor and graduate students including a highly ranked Biological science program.
The University ranks 84th position in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 52nd in best college for veterans and 61st in best undergraduate teachings.
Zoologist Salary and Career Outlook
Data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics show that the median annual wage for typical entry-level zoologists and wildlife biologists was $63,420 per year and $30.49 per hour in 2018.
However, the zoologists employed in research and development earn about $59,670, while those in the local government receive a payment of $57,110.
Additionally, the BLS also projects that the career opportunity of zoologists will grow 5% as fast as average. Also, the employment opportunities for animal science graduates is projected to also increase by the same rate due to the high demand for pets and animal businesses. These professionals may get employment in local governments, colleges, and they can be experts consulting to governments or NGOs.
Best universities for Zoology
Zoology is biology’s branch that focuses on animals’ study, thus also known as animal science. Many universities offer zoology majors, but the teaching of every college is not the same. Some colleges are much more excellent in their education. In this blog, we will show you the five best zoology colleges in the world. But before that, let’s see what a zoology college offers.
What do the best zoology schools offer?
Generally, zoology schools offer a three-year course. The whole course gets divided into six semesters leading to zoology degrees. Zoology schools have undergraduate programs in biology. Here you can take the major as zoology.
The best zoology school will ensure that you are well versed in the subject. There are many differences in learning from a prestigious school and an ordinary school.
One of the most significant differences in the faculties of the school. The best zoology college has world-renowned faculties, and many are noble laureates. Another difference is the student-faculty ratio. Prestigious colleges teach a significantly fewer number of students compared to ordinary ones. Thus, there is a higher number of faculties compared to the number of students.
But there are other differences too, which makes it difficult for a student to get admitted. The required SAT and ACT exam score is much higher. The best zoology college will be more selective; hence the acceptance rate will be meager. Thus, a good zoology college will give you the best teaching; it is hard to get in there.
What Are the Branches of Zoology?
- Entomology: deals with Insects
- Invertebrate Zoology: Animals with no backbones
- Malacology: Study of Malacology
- Ornithology: The study of birds
- Herpetology: Amphibians and reptiles
- Ichthyology: Studies Fish
- Primatology: Deals with Primates
- Mammalogy: Study of Mammals
What is Zoology?
Zoology is a branch of biology that studies the behavior of different species of animals and their natural environment. It is also concerned with the structure of the animal body, their physical characteristics, and how they function.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists study how new animals are formed and how their characteristics are transferred from one generation to another. They also learn the way animals interact with one another and their impact on human development.
Therefore, these Animal scientists carry out research they conduct experiments with the animals in their habitat. For example, those scientists who study marine animals will work in laboratories close to water.
They spend a lot of time researching and gathering data. Some of these professionals like to go for fieldwork, while others preferred to work in the lab.
What Are the Branches of Zoology?
- Entomology: deals with Insects
- Invertebrate Zoology: Animals with no backbones
- Malacology: Study of Malacology
- Ornithology: The study of birds
- Herpetology: Amphibians and reptiles
- Ichthyology: Studies Fish
- Primatology: Deals with Primates
- Mammalogy: Study of Mammals
How Do I Get a Zoology Degree?
If you want to become a zoologist, the first career step starts from your high school. You have to major in science-related courses, including biology, chemistry and, mathematics.
The next step is to get a bachelor’s degree in a certified college because that is the minimum requirement for an entry-level position in an animal science career.
Nonetheless, during your degree program, you may be disclosed to various coursework and practices in animal behavior, ecology, virology physiology, parasitology, chemistry, mathematics, and statistical software.
If you wish to go for advanced research, you may require a Ph.D. in the zoology discipline.
What Does it Cost to Become a Zoologist?
The fees vary according to schools and colleges and may also change with time.
However, for a four-year bachelor’s degree in zoology or a related field, the median annual estimated cost is about $39,666, with an average four-year degree total price of $158,664.
What jobs a zoologist do?
Animal well-being is the primary responsibility of a zoologist who is under his/her care. Zoologist mainly works for zoos, aquarium, wildlife park, wildlife center. The zoologist may involve in programs like restoring the population of wild animals. They also work with groups involved in wildlife conservation.
The following are the job profiles of a Zoologist:
- Academic researcher
- Ecologist
- Environmental consultant
- Marine scientist
- Nature conservation officer
- Research scientist
- Zoologist
List of 5 Best Colleges for Zoology
In modern times, a lot of people has developed an interest in the animal science career. Therefore, we have compiled 5 top colleges that are widely known for research in zoology.
Each of these mentioned schools is carefully selected based on their acceptance rates, tuition, graduation rates, and recent world university rankings.
1. University of Cambridge, UK
Founded in 1209, the Cambridge University is one of the oldest universities. It’s one of the world’s most prestigious universities, which is also known for zoology. The student to faculty ratio of Cambridge is 11:1. Getting into the University is challenging as the acceptance rate is low every year. With a zoology degree from one of the best zoology schools, you can aspire for better jobs and higher pay too.
The Zoology Degree program:
To pursue zoology at Cambridge university, you need to take Natural Sciences undergraduate course. This course is three years, divided into tripos, Part IA, Part IB, and Part II. In Part II, you can specialize Natural Sciences undergraduate course in zoology.
The zoology program will offer you tremendous variety and flexibility while choosing a module. You can select any four modules out of fifteen. The Topics covered are conservation science, animal behavior, cell, developmental biology, ecology, and evolution in these modules. Students undertake research projects for the whole year. Here they take the practical experience of lab and fieldwork.
The tuition fees for one year at Zoology College will be £33,825 for international students. For students living in the UK, the costs will be £9,250. Financial aid at this Zoology College is not much. Need-based financial support gets scrutinized before the given offer, and it is invariable only partial aid.
2. University of Oxford, UK
Evidence of teaching in 1096 at the University of Oxford makes it the oldest English-speaking university. However, there is no founded date. There are 53 noble laureates in natural science from this university. The student to faculty ratio in this college is 11:1. Also, the acceptance rate of 17% approx.; hence, it’s difficult to get admitted to this college.
The Zoology Degree program consists of:
- For undergraduates, the school offers a zoology course in the biological science discipline.
- In Zoology, students attend Lectures, field courses, classes, and tutorials.
- The skill training provides the essential knowledge to become a modern biologist.
- The tutorial system ensures that you get personalized attention from your tutor. It will be a weekly meeting with 2-3 other students to discuss a topic. The topic would be the one you already read about and write an essay about.
The tuition fees for one year of studying at this Zoology College will be £9,250 for the UK. For Overseas students, the tuition fee is £35,380. Financial aid low at this zoology college. International students can apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarships, which is merit-based. It will cover your course fees, a grant for living costs, and one return airfare every year.
3. Harvard University, USA
Founded in 1636, Harvard is the most prestigious college in the world. There are 113 noble laureates in natural science from Harvard. The student to faculty ratio in this college is 6:1. A student here gets highly personalized attention. Harvard University is a highly selective school, with an acceptance rate of just 5%. Thus, you need to make serious efforts to get into this college. Students studying here are in the company of the brightest minds. So they can only get sharper and succeed in their careers.
Before you can choose Zoology as a major, you will first do a foundational course. The courses have nine concentrations exploring the diversity of living systems.
The courses offered are:
- Chemical and Physical Biology
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Life Science
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Neurobiology
- Organism and Evolutionary Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
- Psychology
- Engineering
- Chemistry You will also hone much-needed problem-solving skills.
Watch this video where students share their experience in life sciences:
The approximate tuition fees for one year of studying at Zoology College will be $49,653. Need-based financial aid is available to international students. 55% of students receive scholarships, and students can learn with debt-free help.
4. University of Melbourne, Australia
Founded in 1853, the Melbourne University is the number one university in Australia. College’s student to faculty ratio is 11:1. The acceptance rate of this university is around 15%.
The Melbourne University has one of the best zoology schools Down-under. This Zoology College is famous because Sir David Attenborough studied here. The world-renowned zoology college stands at #7 in graduate employability worldwide.
The zoology major is a part of BSc (Bachelor of Science). In this major, you are going to study everything from an animal cell to animal behavior. You can choose to focus on one of the three things. These things are Reproductive physiology, behavioral ecology, or wildlife conservation. Here, you will gain knowledge and skill about data collection and analysis.
For the first two years of the course, you need to complete an essential subject for your major. This also includes biology and zoology. In third and last year, you need to complete 50 points(four issues) in your area you’ve chosen in zoology for profound and specialized studies. You can select your significant subjects from a vast range as it is a very flexible major. You also need to choose non-science(breadth) subjects and elective science subjects.
The tuition fees for one year of studying at this Australian Zoology College will be $30401. Like other zoology colleges, the University offers need-based financial aid.
For more information about this zoology college:
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
MIT is one of the most admired and renowned institutions. It’s reputed for its demanding curriculum, exceptional research, and excellent faculty. There is one faculty for every three students, which gives personalized attention to each student. But, the acceptance rate of this college is only 8% making it a very selective college.
The Life science program can pave the way for a zoology degree in this college.
