Best Animal Behavior and Ethology colleges in the U.S. 2026
The field of animal behavior or ethology involves the study of how animals communicate broadly with the same species and their surrounding environment. This is a very outdoors-oriented career path, and scientists that pursue degrees in ethology typically need to be in the field to observe a subject in their natural habitat.
There are many career options for students interested in pursuing ethology. While some prefer to work in the field and observe animals in their natural environment, other professionals use these skills in a controlled setting like a zoo or an animal research institute. Students may choose to study a specific species like a dolphin or snake, while others study general animal behavior and seek employment at places like National Geographic to take the skills they learned in school into a real-life setting.
Becoming an ethologist usually requires a four-year bachelor’s degree along with a master’s or PhD with a specialization. Due to the hands-on nature of lab work, ethology degrees require in-person coursework and lab hours. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that opportunities in this field will grow by five percent from 2020-2030.
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University of California-Davis offers 2 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2024, 8 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 7 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Master's degree.
Arizona State University Campus Immersion offers 2 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 2 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 2 Doctoral degrees.
Indiana University-Bloomington offers 1 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 28 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 28 Bachelor's degrees.
Franklin and Marshall College offers 1 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 11 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 11 Bachelor's degrees.
Bucknell University offers 2 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2024, 14 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 14 Bachelor's degrees.
Carroll University offers 1 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 29 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 29 Bachelor's degrees.
University of New England offers 1 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2024, 22 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 22 Bachelor's degrees.
Canisius University offers 3 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 54 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 37 Bachelor's degrees, and 17 Master's degrees.
Eckerd College offers 1 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 89 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 89 Bachelor's degrees.
Madonna University offers 1 Animal Behavior and Ethology degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 5 Animal Behavior and Ethology students graduated with students earning 5 Bachelor's degrees.
Find local colleges with Animal Behavior and Ethology majors in the U.S.
List of all Animal Behavior and Ethology colleges in the U.S.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 23 : 1 | 40,065 | |
|
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ | 23 : 1 | 79,818 | |
|
Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN | 23 : 1 | 48,424 | |
|
Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA | 10 : 1 | 1,808 | |
|
Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA | 10 : 1 | 3,969 | |