2026 Best Value Zoology Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Zoology master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 119 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
North Dakota State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Zoology master's degree schools in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete their Zoology program here. Median earnings reach $62,203 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%. More 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete their Zoology program here. Median earnings reach $73,792 ten years out. Set against $24,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%. Read the full report 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. University Of Wyoming Zoology students take on a median of $23,875 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,880 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Wyoming
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values in the United States. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. The median Zoology program debt is $14,404. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $80,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of Delaware offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Newark, DE. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. The median Zoology program debt is $24,861. University Of Delaware alumni report median earnings of $72,950 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. University Of Delaware has an acceptance rate of 71%. Read more about University Of Delaware
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical Zoology student debt is $25,210. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,581. Set against $25,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical Zoology student debt is $19,844. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,424. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Clemson University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Clemson University
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Zoology students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $60,543 ten years out. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Cornell University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Cornell University Zoology students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Cornell University alumni report median earnings of $104,043 a decade after entry. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. See the full Cornell University profile
Texas A And M University College Station placed #12 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. The median Zoology program debt is $17,500. 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. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical Zoology student debt is $23,375. Median earnings reach $63,126 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical Zoology student debt is $21,750. 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Arkansas landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fayetteville, AR. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete their Zoology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,191. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas has an acceptance rate of 74%. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
University Of Florida landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Florida
Michigan State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,253. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Michigan State University has an acceptance rate of 85%. See the full Michigan State University profile
Washington State University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete their Zoology program here. Washington State University alumni report median earnings of $68,905 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read more about Washington State University
Utah State University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Logan, UT. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. The median Zoology program debt is $16,191. 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. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants. See the full Utah State University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Zoology program debt is $21,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Mississippi State University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. The median Zoology program debt is $23,969. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. More on Mississippi State University
University Of Georgia ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. University Of Georgia Zoology students take on a median of $21,792 in debt. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Iowa State University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. The median Zoology program debt is $23,495. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. More on Iowa State University
Canisius College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Buffalo, NY, Canisius College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Zoology program here. Median earnings reach $60,681 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. More on Canisius College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Zoology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Maryland College Park placed #26 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Zoology students take on a median of $20,836 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,860. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Zoology students take on a median of $24,800 in debt. Median earnings reach $60,409 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,800 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. University Of Maine is a public school based in Orono, ME. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. The median Zoology program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,653. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Maine profile
Boise State University placed #28 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Located in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical Zoology student debt is $24,311. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,658. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants. See the full Boise State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Zoology student debt is $20,778. Median earnings reach $81,054 ten years out. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Southern Illinois University Carbondale offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical Zoology student debt is $21,717. Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumni report median earnings of $53,390 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Get the full Southern Illinois University Carbondale report
Rutgers University New Brunswick offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,479 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick has an acceptance rate of 58%. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. The median Zoology program debt is $21,348. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College alumni report median earnings of $61,251 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
University Of Kentucky landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete their Zoology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of Arizona came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete their Zoology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,979. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%. See the full University Of Arizona profile
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #36 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete their Zoology program here. University Of Hawaii At Manoa alumni report median earnings of $57,624 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Lees Mcrae College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. See the full Lees Mcrae College profile
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Zoology schools. Get the full Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry report
Union University
Union University placed #39 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. More on Union University
Charleston Southern University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Charleston Southern University report
Frostburg State University placed #41 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. See the full Frostburg State University profile
Liberty University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. See the full Liberty University profile
Muskingum University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read the full report on Muskingum University
Drake University
Drake University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Drake University report
Davidson County Community College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Davidson County Community College
University Of Rhode Island came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Rhode Island profile
Rutgers University Newark landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Rutgers University Newark
Berry College
Berry College placed #48 among the best-value Zoology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Berry College
Northwest Nazarene University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Northwest Nazarene University
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Related Zoology Value Rankings
See value rankings for 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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