Animal Behavior Degrees
An animal behavior degree teaches students the skills needed to understand the motivations behind the actions of animals. Students who earn animal behavior degrees will be prepared with the skills needed for various careers, such as zoologists, wildlife biologists, and more. Being an animal behavior specialist is a great career path for those who love animals and want to work with them to improve their quality of life.
Our editors first reviewed animal behavior degree programs in July 2023. This ranking was last updated in December 2023.
Featured Programs
Top Affordable Bachelor’s in Animal Behavior Degrees Methodology
We have compiled a list of the best animal behavior schools for students who want to pursue an online animal behavior degree. These animal behaviorist programs have been selected for this ranking based on a scoring system that considers the cost of tuition and the length of the program. These animal behaviorist programs have also been accredited by nationally recognized accreditation boards and have had their nonprofit status verified. These animal behavior degree colleges are ordered from highest to lowest scores.
| School | Tuition | Score |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | $51,720 | 100 |
| Unity College | $56,400 | 99.75 |
| Carroll University | $71,400 | 99.50 |
| Utica College | $89,256 | 99.25 |
| Canisius University | $117,200 | 99 |
| Muskingum University | $117,200 | 98.75 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | $142,560 | 98.50 |
| Indiana University Bloomington | $150,400 | 98.25 |
| University of New England | $163,200 | 98 |
| Southwestern University | $187,200 | 97.75 |
| Eckerd College | $188,176 | 97.50 |
| Hampshire College | $204,000 | 97.25 |
| Bucknell University | $237,896 | 97 |
| Duke University | $242,376 | 96.75 |
| Franklin & Marshall College | $252,864 | 96.5 |
The Top 15 Most Affordable Animal Behavior Colleges
#1 Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Score: 100 Tuition: $51,720 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Those who would like to study at Millersville University of Pennsylvania can enroll in the school’s Bachelor of Science in animal behavior degree. Through this animal behavior degree program, students will learn how to understand better how animals behave and communicate with one another. In doing so, they will gain a deeper understanding of animal cognition.
To complete the program, animal behavior students earn a total of 120 credit hours. This program of study is exclusively offered on campus. This is one of the best animal behavior schools, and this program is a great option for those looking for an affordable animal behavior degree.
#2. Unity College
Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Behavior
Unity, Maine
Score: 99.75 Tuition: $56,400 Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
This Bachelor of Science in animal health and behavior is offered at Unity College. Students in Maine who are looking for an “animal behavior degree near me” program will be happy to know there is one right in the state. By enrolling in this program, animal behavior majors will work through a curriculum designed to help them learn to maintain animals’ well-being in the wild and in captivity. They will learn how to assess an animal’s behaviors to determine how it is feeling and how stressed it may be.
This program provides great career training for those interested in working as animal welfare officers. A total of 120 credits are needed to complete this degree from one of the best animal behavior schools available.
#3. Carroll University
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Score: 99.5 Tuition: $71,400 Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities
Carroll University animal behavior majors can enroll in the school’s Bachelor of Science in animal behavior degree. This animal science behavior degree is great career preparation for several zoological and wildlife careers.
Students in this program will learn how to observe and analyze the behaviors of animals. They will learn how to assess that behavior and whether that behavior is typical or atypical. Many who earn this animal behavior science degree go on to have careers in rescue organizations, animal therapy, zoological organizations, and more. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this program of study. Carroll University, one of the best animal behavior colleges, has received accreditation.
#4. Utica College
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior
Utica, New York
Score: 99.25 Tuition: $89,256 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Utica College offers a Bachelor of Science in animal behavior. The program takes 120 credits for completion. Students enrolled in this animal behaviorist degree online will work through a curriculum designed to help them better understand how animals behave.
Curriculum focuses on conveying different reasons that influence and change an animal’s behavior. Influences include:
- Ecological reasons
- Evolutionary reasons
- Physiological reasons
The Utica College program has earned its place among the top animal behavior degrees available.
#5. Canisius University
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation
Buffalo, New York
Score: 99 Tuition: $117,200 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Those who want to become students at Canisius College can enroll in the Bachelor of Science in animal behavior, ecology, and conservation degree. Through this animal behaviorist degree online, students get exposed to the theories and concepts used to help better understand why animals behave the way they do. In this program, students learn to assess the welfare of animals better.
A total of 120 credits are required for students to complete this degree program. And It’s one of the best animal behavior major colleges we’ve found. This degree is a great option for students interested in a career in conservation or zoology. Courses in this animal behavior degree online program include:
- Animal ethics
- Conservation behavior
- Introductory animal behavior
#6. Muskingum University
Bachelor of Science in Animal Studies
New Concord, Ohio
Score: 98.75 Tuition: $117,200 Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Muskingum University offers students a Bachelor of Science in animal studies degree. This bachelor of animal behavior degree is a great option for students who want to jumpstart a zoology or animal behavior career. Students in this program will learn how animals behave and express themselves in order to understand their well-being better. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this program of study. This program is a great option for those wanting the training needed to work in:
- animal welfare
- zoology
- other zoology-related careers
#7. Florida Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Animal Behavior
Melbourne, Florida
Score: 98.5 Tuition: $142,560 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
This Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in animal behavior degree is offered by the Florida Institute of Technology. Students enrolled in the animal behavior degree online program will work through a curriculum designed to teach them how to leverage an understanding of animal behavior. By learning the factors that influence an animal’s behavior, students will learn how to influence that behavior through training.
A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this program of study. This is a great degree option for those interested in a career in animal welfare, zoology, and more.
#8. Indiana University Bloomington
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior
Bloomington, Indiana
Score: 98.25 Tuition: $150,400 Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Those who wish to study at Indiana University can enroll in this animal behaviorist school and earn a Bachelor of Science in animal behavior degree. Through this animal behavior degree online, students will come to understand concepts and theories that govern animal behavior. They will learn how to properly analyze the behavior of animals to better understand their state of mind and their welfare.
Courses in this program include:
- Biological mechanisms
- Ethics
- Introduction to animal behavior
- Statistics
Students must complete a total of 120 credit hours to earn this degree.
#9. University of New England
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior
Portland, Maine
Score: 98 Tuition: $163,200 Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
The University of New England offers students this Bachelor of Science in animal behavior degree. Students in this on-campus program will develop an understanding of the various factors and characteristics that influence the ways that animals behave.
Courses in this program include animal cognition and captive animal management. Students also focus on conservation behavior and animal personality. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this program.
#10. Southwestern University
Bachelor of Science in Animal Studies
Georgetown, Texas
Score: 97.75 Tuition: $187,200 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
This Bachelor of Science in animal studies degree is offered at Southwestern University. Animal behavior majors in this program can personalize this animal behavior degree to suit their needs and anticipated career path.
Through this animal behavior degree online program, students will understand the factors that influence the ways that animals behave. They will use this information to understand animals better and to ensure their welfare in different environments. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this degree. If you’re looking for some top colleges with animal behavior majors, this on-campus program at Southwestern University is ideal.
#11. Eckerd College
Bachelor of Science in Animal Studies
St. Petersburg, Florida
Score: 97.5 Tuition: $188,176 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
Those who would like to study at Eckerd College can enroll in the school’s Bachelor of Science in animal studies degree. This degree in animal behavior provides students with the background and training needed for various careers in zoology and animal welfare. Students in this program will work through a curriculum designed to help increase their familiarity with the various factors that govern the behavior of animals. They will use this information to better assess the care and well-being of animals.
A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this program of study. This degree is offered on campus.
#12. Hampshire College
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior and Cognition
Amherst, Massachusetts
Score: 97.25 Tuition: $204,000 Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
This Bachelor of Science in animal behavior and cognition degree is offered by Hampshire College. By enrolling in this program of study, students will work through a curriculum designed to help them better understand how animals behave and how they think. To complete the degree, students must earn 120 credit hours.
Students will study the anatomical, physiological, and genetic factors that influence animal cognition. Courses in this on-campus degree in animal behavior program cover topics including:
- animal behavior
- animal cognition
- communication
- evolution
#13. Bucknell University
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Score: 97 Tuition: $237,896 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Bucknell College offers a Bachelor of Science in animal behavior degree on campus. By pursuing this degree in animal behavior, students will learn about the biological and psychological factors that influence the ways that animals think and behave. Courses in this program include:
- behavioral ecology
- comparative cognition
- mammalogy
- neuroethology
- primate cognition
A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this degree in animal behavior.
#14. Duke University
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior
Durham, North Carolina
Score: 96.75 Tuition: $242,376 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
Those who would like to study at Duke University can enroll in the school’s Bachelor of Science in animal behavior degree program. This 120-credit hour program is exclusively offered on campus at Duke University.
Students in this program of study will learn how to understand animal behavior from a variety of perspectives. They will learn the psychological, physical, evolutionary, and biological forces that dictate how animals behave. And it’s one of the best online animal behavior degree colleges on our list. Courses in this program include:
- primate field biology
- sensory physiology & behavior of marine animals
- sociobiology
#15. Franklin & Marshall College
Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior Studies
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Score: 96.5 Tuition: $252,864 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
This Bachelor of Science in animal behavior studies degree is offered by Franklin & Marshall College. Franklin & Marshall College’s online animal behavior degree is a great option for students interested in a career in animal welfare or zoology.
Throughout this program, students will deepen their understanding and knowledge of the various factors governing how animals interact and behave. This is one of the best animal behavior colleges we’ve found. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete this degree. Courses in this program include:
- animal behavior
- behavioral ecology
- cognitive psychology
Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Behavior: Overview
An animal behaviorist is a professional who studies how animals’ behavior relates to other animals and the environment in which they live. They may work in a wide range of settings including:
- animal shelters
- laboratories
- nature conservatories
- protected habitats
- veterinary medicine offices
- wildlife centers
- zoos
To become an animal behaviorist, you will first need to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal behavior, which will give you the practical and academic training to pursue a career in the field.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Behavior?
Like most undergraduate degrees, you’ll need to attend college for four years to study animal behavior. During this time, you’ll have many opportunities to learn about the biology, social structure, and natural habitats of animals.
What Will I Study in an Animal Behavior Program?
As an animal behavior major, you’ll begin with an assortment of core courses in areas such as math, science, psychology, and more, but you’ll soon move on to more specialized courses. Usually, an animal behavior major will also do a research project. While each of these colleges for animal behavior is a little different, you can expect a variety of courses. Have a look:
Most animal behavior programs also offer practical, hands-on learning experiences as students conduct research and complete fieldwork at on-campus labs, zoos, or protected wildlife areas. Some programs even offer the chance for animal behavior students to study abroad to learn about animals and animal health in other habitats. Others allow students to work with domestic animals. Colleges for animal behavior will prepare you for a wide range of career options.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Behavior?
There are many career opportunities for those with only a bachelor’s in animal behavior. Depending on your interests, you could look for positions at:
- Aquariums
- Conservation groups
- Museums
- Wildlife rehabs
- Zoos
You can also get involved with domestic animals, and look into careers like animal training. Long-term career goals for animal behavior majors who graduate with an online animal behavior degree may include:
- Animal Trainer
- Animal Welfare Specialist
- Marine Ecology Researcher
- Museum Caretaker
- Naturalist
- Research Technician
- Shelter Manager
- Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary Medicine
- Wildlife Biologist
- Wildlife Technician
- Zookeeper
Of course, this is only a partial list of career options for animal behaviorists. It is important to note that animal behavior majors can find jobs in both the private and the public sectors. In the private sector, graduates might work in private research institutions. In government, an animal behavior graduate might work in an organization such as the Department of Fish and Game, state and national parks, or local animal control. Many colleges with animal behavior major programs offer specializations in these areas.
Graduate Degrees for Animal Behaviorists
If an animal behavior major wishes to continue their studies in the field, there are many animal behavior major colleges that offer graduate degrees in animal behavior. But keep in mind, all graduate school programs for animal behavior require candidates to earn their undergraduate degree first. If they decide to move forward, many animal behavior students chose to specialize in zoology, environmental science, animal health, animal science, research, education, veterinary medicine, and more.
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