2026 Best Value Zoology Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Zoology doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 119 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Zoology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found North Dakota State University Main Campus to be the best-value Zoology school in the United States. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #2 place in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,792 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values in the United States. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,887. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Delaware landed the #4 spot. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical Zoology student debt is $24,861. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,950 ten years after entry. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Delaware
A rank of #5 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school based in Athens, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. The median Zoology program debt is $25,210. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
Kansas State University placed #6 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $24,853 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. That is a strong return on a $24,853 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Kansas State University report
Cornell University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical Zoology student debt is $15,005. Graduates go on to earn a median of $104,043 ten years after entry. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Cornell University
University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. University Of California Davis alumni report median earnings of $80,838 a decade after entry. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants. More on University Of California Davis
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Clemson University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Clemson University Zoology students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. Clemson University alumni report median earnings of $71,513 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%. Read more about Clemson University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #11 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Zoology program here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Florida landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Zoology program debt is $20,625. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Norman, OK. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical Zoology student debt is $23,375. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,126. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report
Iowa State University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ames, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete their Zoology program here. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. More on Iowa State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Zoology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of Arkansas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical Zoology student debt is $24,019. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas has an acceptance rate of 74%. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Oklahoma State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $57,413 a decade after entry. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Washington State University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Washington State University Zoology students take on a median of $17,875 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read the full report on Washington State University
Arizona State University placed #19 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University Zoology students take on a median of $21,842 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Arizona State University
Utah State University placed #20 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Based in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Utah State University alumni report median earnings of $54,022 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Utah State University profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete their Zoology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,698. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Georgia placed #22 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,726 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Purdue University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Zoology students take on a median of $19,844 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Mississippi State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Located in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,513 ten years out. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. More on Mississippi State University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,860 ten years after entry. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park has an acceptance rate of 45%. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Zoology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,543 ten years after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,800 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,409 ten years after entry. Set against $24,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Idaho ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Set in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. University Of Idaho Zoology students take on a median of $23,844 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,670. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants. More on University Of Idaho
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Durham, NH, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,479 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 88%. Get the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus report
Michigan State University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Zoology program here. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants. Read more about Michigan State University
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Based in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. The median Zoology program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,653. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants. Read more about University Of Maine
University Of California Riverside offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical Zoology student debt is $19,187. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants. See the full University Of California Riverside profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #33 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. The median Zoology program debt is $20,778. Median earnings reach $81,054 ten years out. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Southern Illinois University Carbondale Zoology students take on a median of $21,717 in debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumni report median earnings of $53,390 a decade after entry. Set against $21,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale has an acceptance rate of 87%. More on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Arizona ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,979. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Arizona
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete their Zoology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Laramie County Community College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Laramie County Community College profile
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Ohio University Southern Campus came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. See the full Ohio University Southern Campus profile
Bard College At Simons Rock placed #40 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Bard College At Simons Rock
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Weber State University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Weber State University report
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Ohio University Lancaster Campus report
West Texas A And M University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read more about West Texas A And M University
Kent State University At Kent ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Get the full Kent State University At Kent report
University Of Connecticut ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Ohio University Chillicothe Campus profile
Ohio University Zanesville Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Ohio University Zanesville Campus report
Ohio Wesleyan University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware Valley College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Delaware Valley College
Related Zoology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Zoology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Zoology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Zoology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Zoology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Zoology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Zoology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Zoology Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 119 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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