Zoology major
Zoology: courses, careers, and where to study
Zoology is the biology major centered on animals, how their bodies are built, how they function, how they behave, and how they fit into the natural world.
Zoology examines animal life across every level, from the molecules and cells inside a single organism to the way whole species behave and fit into their ecosystems. Students study how animal bodies are structured and how their organs and tissues work, trace how species have evolved over time, and learn how populations interact with their habitats. Coursework moves between the microscope and the field: dissecting and identifying specimens, running physiology experiments, observing animal behavior, and grouping organisms across the major animal phyla. Unlike a general biology degree, zoology concentrates on animals rather than plants or microbes, and unlike environmental science it centers on the organisms themselves, their anatomy, physiology, and behavior, rather than on managing landscapes or pollution.
Entry-level roles tied to this major usually begin with a bachelor's degree that pairs lecture courses with hands-on laboratory and field components, and many programs cap the degree with a research project or a supervised field practicum where students collect, identify, and analyze specimens and behavioral data of their own. Those who want to lead independent research, teach at the university level, or specialize deeply in areas such as marine mammals, ornithology, or animal behavior typically continue to a graduate degree. Applied paths that involve handling live animals or working with protected wildlife may carry permit or certification requirements that vary by state and employer and should be verified directly. Graduates work in settings such as government wildlife and natural-resource agencies, zoos and aquariums, museums and research institutes, conservation organizations, environmental consulting firms, and university labs.
In federal data for the closely related occupation of zoologists and wildlife biologists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $72,860 and projects employment to grow about 1.6% from 2024 to 2034; a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.
Academic classification (CIP)
In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Zoology maps to CIP 26.0701, Zoology/Animal Biology, within the BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES family. The official definition:
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the biology of animal species and phyla, with reference to their molecular and cellular systems, anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Includes instruction in molecular and cell biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, ecology and behavior, evolutionary biology, and applications to specific species and phyla.
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov
What credential Zoology is awarded as
Of the 1,913 Zoology credentials U.S. colleges reported conferring in 2023-24:
- Certificate<1%5
- Associate1%21
- Bachelor's91%1,738
- Graduate8%149
CampusPin does not have enough states reporting this field to say whether the mix changes from state to state. See the full study.
Credentials conferred in 2023-24, U.S. Department of Education IPEDS completions. A certificate is a different credential from a degree, not a lesser one, and this counts what was awarded rather than what a college currently offers.
What you'll study
- Comparative animal anatomy and physiology
- Vertebrate and invertebrate zoology across the animal phyla
- Evolutionary biology and the principles of natural selection
- Animal behavior and ethology, including field observation methods
- Ecology and population dynamics of animal communities
- Molecular and cell biology with laboratory technique
- Specimen dissection, collection, and taxonomic identification
- Field research design, data collection, and statistical analysis
- Microscopy and laboratory documentation
Typical careers
- Zoologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Conservation Biologist
- Marine Mammalogist
- Animal Behaviorist
- Field Researcher
Typical salary range: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 zoologists and wildlife biologists median $72,860).Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.
Related occupations
Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Zoology, with what each one pays and how many openings it is projected to average each year. Ordered by projected annual openings, largest first. Linked titles open the full CampusPin career page.
| Occupation | Median pay | Openings / yr | Projected change | Most entrants hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Technicians | $52,000 | 9,100 | +3.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $161,180 | 8,500 | +3.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,460 | 5,400 | +7.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $72,860 | 1,400 | +1.6% | Bachelor's degree |
Crosswalk: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. Pay, openings and projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024 wages, Employment Projections). 4 of these 4 occupations report a median wage.
“Most entrants hold” is what BLS observes about people already working in the occupation. It is not a legal requirement, not an admission rule, and not a guarantee of entry. Studying Zoology does not guarantee any specific occupation, and many of these roles are entered from several different fields. Projected openings are a projection, not jobs promised.
Before you commit to a Zoology major
CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Zoology program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.
Ask the Zoology department
- Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
- What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
- What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?
Ask current students & check the curriculum
- How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
- What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
- Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
- How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Find a Zoology program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.
Colleges that awarded the most Zoology credentials
Largest by credentials conferred in 2023-24. This measures the size of the graduating class, not quality, and it is not a ranking.
- University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOK · 219
- Ohio University-Main CampusOH · 154
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · 132
- Michigan State UniversityMI · 101
- Oregon State UniversityOR · 100
- University of California-DavisCA · 99
- Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · 94
- Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOK · 79
- North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · 74
- Weber State UniversityUT · 61
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · 60
- Miami University-OxfordOH · 58
Based on credentials this institution reported conferring in the federal IPEDS completions collection for 2023-24. It confirms the field was awarded that year, not that the program currently accepts students, and it covers only the fields CampusPin tracks. Confirm current offerings with the institution.
Where Zoology credentials were awarded
One state has a distinct enough set of Zoology colleges to be worth its own page.
Related majors
Biology
Biology is the foundational pre-health major, covering molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological levels of living systems.
Marine Biology
Marine biology applies the life sciences to organisms in oceans, coastal waters, and estuaries, suiting students drawn to fieldwork, lab research, and ocean ecosystems.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science combines biology, chemistry, geology, and policy to address climate, conservation, water, and pollution challenges.
Microbiology
Microbiology studies microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, suiting students aiming for lab research, biotech, public health, and clinical or pharmaceutical work.
Forestry
Forestry combines biology, ecology, and resource management to steward forests and woodlands. It suits students who want science-based, hands-on work managing land and natural resources.
Put this major in context
The salary above is an occupation-wide median from federal data, not a starting wage or a guarantee. These CampusPin guides and reports help you read it well, see where a Zoology degree can lead, and weigh it against cost and program quality.
Explore Science & Research careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
Explore Management careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
How one major leads to many careers
Why a single Zoology degree can open more than one path, and how to read the occupations above.
Why a median wage is not a starting salary
How to read a BLS median, and why early-career pay usually sits below it.
When accreditation and licensure matter
How program accreditation and state licensure can shape a Zoology path before you enroll.
Does a pricier college pay off?
How college cost lines up with graduation and earnings, an association, not a ranking.
Does picking a major narrow your college list?
Across the federal completions data, most fields barely change which colleges are on the table. Which ones genuinely do.
Certificate or degree?
What credential a field is usually awarded as is mostly set by the field itself, not by the state, with a short list of exceptions.
How this guide is sourced
This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.