Zoology · Illinois

Zoology colleges in Illinois

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

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.

Schools in Illinois that offer Zoology

Zoology 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 Zoology program

  • 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

Where a Zoology degree can lead

  • Zoologist
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Conservation Biologist
  • Marine Mammalogist
  • Animal Behaviorist
  • Field Researcher

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

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.

Zoology in other states

Other majors in Illinois

Find more Zoology schools

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

Search Zoology schools in IllinoisAbout the Zoology majorAll colleges in Illinois

Related majors in Illinois