Animal behavior degrees exist at three levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Each opens different doors. A BS qualifies you for entry-level positions in zoos, shelters, and training facilities. An MS makes you eligible for ACAAB certification and mid-level consulting or research roles. A PhD qualifies you for CAAB certification, university faculty positions, and senior research roles.
The degree level you need depends entirely on what you want to do with it. This guide lays out the options, costs, and career outcomes at each level so you can make that decision based on facts rather than assumptions.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Few universities offer a standalone BS in Animal Behavior. More commonly, animal behavior is a concentration or emphasis within a broader animal science, biology, or psychology major. The distinction matters less than the coursework. Employers and graduate admissions committees care about what courses you took, not what the major is called.
Key Coursework
Regardless of the major title, a solid undergraduate foundation in animal behavior includes:
- Introduction to animal behavior / ethology
- Learning and conditioning (operant and classical)
- Behavioral ecology
- Animal cognition
- Comparative psychology
- Statistics and research methods
- Biology core (cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology)
- Chemistry (general and organic, if pre-vet or pre-grad school)
- Animal science electives (nutrition, physiology, management)
Notable Undergraduate Programs
Indiana University — BS in Animal Behavior. One of the few dedicated animal behavior bachelor’s degrees in the country. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the program draws on biology and psychology faculty. Strong research opportunities through the Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior. In-state tuition: approximately $10,680/year.
UC Davis — BS in Animal Science with Animal Behavior emphasis. Located in one of the nation’s strongest animal science departments. Students access veterinary school facilities, the UC Davis Primate Center, and multiple research labs. In-state tuition: approximately $14,400/year.
Cornell University — BS in Animal Science with Behavior concentration. Small class sizes, strong faculty mentorship, and research opportunities in companion animal, equine, and farm animal behavior. Tuition: approximately $62,000/year (significant financial aid available).
University of Florida — BS in Animal Sciences. Available online and on campus. Strong ethology coursework. Close connection to UF’s veterinary college and wildlife research programs. In-state tuition: approximately $6,380/year — exceptional value.
Canisius University — BS in Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation. One of the few standalone animal behavior undergraduate programs at a smaller institution. Strong field research component. Tuition: approximately $38,000/year before aid.
Career Outcomes with a BS
A bachelor’s degree alone limits you to entry-level and mid-level positions:
- Zookeeper / animal care specialist: $28,000 to $38,000
- Animal shelter behavior assessor: $30,000 to $40,000
- Research assistant / lab technician: $32,000 to $42,000
- Dog trainer (with certification): $35,000 to $65,000
- Wildlife field technician: $28,000 to $36,000
- Veterinary technician (with additional vet tech credential): $34,000 to $45,000
For applied animal behavior consulting or academic careers, a graduate degree is mandatory. The BS is the foundation, not the finish line.
Master’s Degree Programs
An MS in animal behavior (or closely related field) opens the door to ACAAB certification, research positions, and teaching roles at community colleges. It also strengthens PhD applications for students who were not competitive coming out of undergrad.
Program Types
Thesis-based MS (2-3 years): Original research, data collection, analysis, and a written thesis defended before a faculty committee. This is the standard for students pursuing CAAB/ACAAB certification or planning to continue to a PhD. Funded positions (teaching or research assistantship) cover tuition and provide a stipend of $18,000 to $26,000/year.
Non-thesis MS (1-2 years): Coursework-intensive with a capstone project instead of a thesis. Faster to complete but less competitive for PhD admissions and research careers. Typically not funded — expect to pay $30,000 to $60,000 out of pocket.
Professional MS (1-2 years): Designed for working professionals. Applied focus, often with flexible or online components. Texas A&M’s online MS in Animal Science and Tufts’ MS in Animals and Public Policy fall into this category.
Top Master’s Programs
Tufts University — MS in Animals and Public Policy. Unique program housed at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Combines animal behavior, welfare science, and policy. Can be completed on campus or through a low-residency format. Strong for students interested in shelter work, welfare advocacy, or policy. Tuition: approximately $54,000 total.
University of Pennsylvania — MS in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare (proposed/developing). Penn’s veterinary school has deep expertise in companion animal behavior through the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society. Graduate programs leverage clinical cases from the Ryan Veterinary Hospital.
Hunter College (CUNY) — MA in Animal Behavior and Conservation. Affordable option in New York City. In-state tuition: approximately $5,545/semester. Faculty research spans primate behavior, bird cognition, and conservation psychology. Partnership with the Bronx Zoo and American Museum of Natural History for research opportunities.
University of Exeter (UK) — MSc in Animal Behaviour. For students willing to study abroad, Exeter offers one of the strongest dedicated animal behavior master’s programs globally. One-year program (UK standard). Tuition for international students: approximately GBP 29,000 (about $37,000).
Career Outcomes with an MS
- ACAAB-certified applied animal behaviorist: $45,000 to $70,000
- Research scientist (industry): $55,000 to $80,000
- University lecturer / community college instructor: $48,000 to $68,000
- Shelter behavior program director: $42,000 to $62,000
- Zoo behaviorist / enrichment coordinator: $40,000 to $58,000
- Senior dog behavior consultant: $50,000 to $85,000
Doctoral Degree Programs
The PhD is the terminal degree for research and academic careers in animal behavior. It is also required for full CAAB certification. Expect 4-6 years of full-time work: coursework (1-2 years), qualifying exams, original research, and a dissertation.
Nearly all PhD programs in animal behavior are fully funded. Tuition is covered. Students receive a stipend ($22,000 to $32,000/year) plus health insurance. If a PhD program asks you to pay tuition, that is a red flag — either the program is poorly funded or you are not being offered a competitive package.
Top PhD Programs
UC Davis — Animal Behavior Graduate Group. An interdisciplinary program drawing faculty from animal science, psychology, ecology, and wildlife biology. Research strengths: domestic animal behavior, wildlife cognition, behavioral ecology, human-animal interaction. One of the most respected programs in the field.
Indiana University — Program in Animal Behavior. The oldest graduate program in animal behavior in the United States. Interdisciplinary, combining biology and psychology. Research focus on mechanisms and evolution of behavior. Strong alumni network in academia.
University of California, Santa Cruz — PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Animal Behavior focus). Known for research in social behavior, communication, and behavioral ecology, particularly in marine mammals and birds.
Emory University — PhD in Psychology (Animal Cognition track). Affiliated with the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Primate cognition, social behavior, and comparative psychology. Small, intensive program with high faculty-to-student ratios.
University of Pennsylvania — PhD in Psychology (Ethology concentration). Access to the vet school’s clinical behavior service, the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, and interdisciplinary faculty.
Career Outcomes with a PhD
- CAAB-certified applied animal behaviorist: $55,000 to $92,000
- University professor (tenure-track): $65,000 to $110,000
- Senior research scientist (industry — Mars Petcare, Purina, Zoetis): $85,000 to $140,000
- Government research scientist (USDA, NIH): $78,000 to $130,000 (GS-12 to GS-15)
- Zoo research director: $60,000 to $90,000
- Private practice (CAAB, independent): $70,000 to $130,000 net
MS vs. PhD: Making the Decision
This is the most common question prospective students ask. Here is the honest breakdown.
Choose the MS if:
- You want to practice as an applied behaviorist (ACAAB level) without spending 5-6 years in graduate school
- You are interested in shelter behavior programs, training consulting, or industry positions that value the credential but do not require a PhD
- You want to test whether research is for you before committing to a PhD
- You need to continue working while studying (professional MS programs accommodate this)
Choose the PhD if:
- You want to become a university professor or lead researcher
- You want full CAAB certification (requires doctoral degree)
- You want to do original research as your primary career activity
- You can commit 4-6 years of full-time work at a graduate stipend ($22,000-$32,000/year)
The MS-to-PhD pipeline: Many students complete an MS, work for 2-3 years, then return for a PhD. This path takes longer overall but gives you real-world experience that improves your PhD research and career prospects. Some PhD programs accept MS graduates with reduced coursework requirements, shortening the PhD by 1-2 years.
For a detailed look at what animal behaviorist careers look like in practice, see our complete career guide. If you are weighing animal behavior against a broader field, our zoology vs. animal science comparison may help clarify the decision.
Funding Your Degree
Bachelor’s Level
- FAFSA (Pell Grants up to $7,395 for 2025-2026)
- In-state tuition at public universities ($6,000 to $15,000/year)
- Merit and need-based scholarships from the university
- Animal science department scholarships (often small — $500 to $3,000 — but undersubscribed)
Master’s Level
- Teaching assistantships (tuition + $18,000-$22,000 stipend)
- Research assistantships (tuition + $20,000-$26,000 stipend)
- Professional MS programs: employer tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year tax-free)
- FAFSA (graduate student loans up to $20,500/year)
Doctoral Level
- Full funding is the standard (tuition waiver + stipend + health insurance)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship: $37,000/year stipend + $12,000 education allowance (extremely competitive)
- NIH NRSA fellowships for relevant research areas
- University fellowships for top applicants ($28,000-$35,000 stipends)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best major for an animal behavior career?
Animal science, biology, psychology, or zoology — the specific major title matters less than the coursework. Ensure your program includes animal behavior, learning theory, statistics, research methods, and a strong biology foundation. A dedicated animal behavior major (available at Indiana University and a few other schools) is ideal but not necessary.
Can I study animal behavior online?
Partially. Theoretical coursework is available online at several institutions. Some professional MS programs offer low-residency or hybrid formats. However, research experience, lab work, and hands-on animal training components require in-person participation. See our distance learning guide for specifics on how online programs handle practical requirements.
How competitive are animal behavior graduate programs?
Highly competitive at top schools. UC Davis Animal Behavior Graduate Group admits 3-5 students per year from 80+ applicants. Indiana University’s program is similarly selective. Strong applicants have research experience (conference presentations or publications help), relevant volunteer or work experience, GRE scores above the 75th percentile (where still required), and clear statements of research interest that match faculty expertise.
Is an animal behavior degree worth the investment?
At the PhD level, yes — fully funded programs cost nothing beyond opportunity cost (5-6 years at a modest stipend). MS programs offer positive ROI if you pursue ACAAB certification and build a consulting or institutional career. The BS alone has limited earning potential in animal behavior specifically, but provides a foundation for dog training careers, shelter work, and further education.
What is the salary difference between an MS and PhD in animal behavior?
ACAAB holders (MS) earn $45,000 to $70,000. CAAB holders (PhD) earn $55,000 to $92,000. In academic settings, the gap is wider: MS-level instructors earn $48,000 to $68,000 while PhD-level tenure-track professors earn $65,000 to $110,000. In private practice, the credential matters more than the degree level — both ACAAB and CAAB holders charge similar consultation rates. The CAAB designation opens more doors for complex cases and veterinary referrals.
