Wildlife Biology · Illinois

Wildlife Biology colleges in Illinois

CampusPin lists 81 U.S. colleges in Illinois that offer Wildlife Biology programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Wildlife Biology applies biological principles to vertebrate animals, their habitats, and the ecosystems they depend on across wild and human-altered landscapes.

Schools in Illinois that offer Wildlife Biology

Wildlife Biology programs in Illinois: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 81 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

81

Public / private

10 / 40

Universities / 2-year

46 / 4

Cities represented

32

In-state tuition range

$3,552–$65,997

Median in-state tuition

$27,556

Lowest published in-state tuition

Lewis and Clark Community College

$3,552

Most selective

Northwestern University

7% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

Chamberlain University-Illinois

28,871 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Wildlife Biology program

  • Core biology, genetics, and ecology of vertebrate animals
  • Animal ecology and adaptational biology in changing environments
  • Vertebrate specializations including mammalogy, herpetology, ichthyology, and ornithology
  • Natural and artificial habitat management and restoration
  • Wildlife population assessment, surveys, and field sampling methods
  • Limnology and the study of freshwater systems
  • Wildlife pathology, disease, and health monitoring
  • Urban ecosystems and managing wildlife in human-altered landscapes
  • A field-based capstone, internship, or senior research project

Where a Wildlife Biology degree can lead

  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Habitat Management Specialist
  • Fish and Wildlife Technician
  • Wildlife Refuge or Park Biologist
  • Natural Resource Agency Field Biologist

Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 zoologists and wildlife biologists median $72,860).

Wildlife Biology applies biological principles to the study of vertebrate animals, the habitats they occupy, and the ecosystems that sustain them across both remote wilderness and human-altered settings. Students ground themselves in core biology, then concentrate on animal ecology, adaptational biology, and the management of natural and artificial habitats. Coursework reaches into vertebrate specializations such as mammalogy, herpetology, ichthyology, and ornithology, along with limnology and wildlife pathology. The major is narrower than zoology, which examines the broad biology of animals of every kind, and it is distinct from marine biology, which centers on saltwater organisms. Here the focus stays on terrestrial and freshwater vertebrate wildlife, on how populations rise and fall, and on the practical work of conserving species where their range overlaps with farms, roads, and cities. Urban ecosystems receive direct attention, reflecting how often wildlife and people now share the same ground.

Most entry-level wildlife roles begin with a bachelor's degree, and programs pair lecture courses with laboratory and field components. Students learn to survey animals, assess habitat quality, and collect population data in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and developed areas, often through a practicum, internship, or senior research project that yields original observations. Graduates work for state and federal natural-resource agencies, conservation nonprofits, environmental consulting firms, parks, refuges, and zoological institutions. Those who want to lead their own investigations or move into research and teaching frequently continue toward a graduate degree. There is no single national license to practice as a wildlife biologist, though certain tasks, such as handling protected species, banding birds, or conducting regulated field work, can require permits or certifications that differ by employer and state. Prospective students should verify any specific credential, permit, or program requirement directly with the program and the relevant state agency.

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.

Wildlife Biology in other states

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Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 81+ Wildlife Biology programs in Illinois by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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