Are you wild about wildlife? Obsessed with the environment? Dreaming of turning your passion for animals and ecosystems into a career? A Wildlife Biology degree from the University of Montana might be exactly what you’re looking for.
With a national reputation, a powerhouse faculty and incredible access to the wildest classrooms in the lower 48, this degree offers the full package: experiential learning, professional connections and job-ready skills.
What is Wildlife Biology?
Wildlife Biology is the science of understanding, protecting and managing wild animals and their habitats. It's deeply rooted in environmental science, ecology and conservation. At UM, this program is nationally recognized for its depth, rigor and hands-on learning. Students study everything from genetics to ecosystems, and grizzly bears to waterfowl.
UM's curriculum aligns with certification criteria set by The Wildlife Society and the American Fisheries Society, meaning you’re getting the kind of education that meets national professional standards.
Learning by Doing: Fieldwork, Internships & Research
Every Wildlife Biology student at UM completes either a formal internship or an immersive field-based course (like the legendary summer program at Flathead Lake Biological Station). Some students even do both. If you’re into experiential learning, you’ll have opportunities to:
- Conduct research with top wildlife scientists
- Work side-by-side with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists
- Join field trips to Yellowstone and Glacier
- Help monitor big game populations and predator-prey dynamics
- Complete a senior thesis (with the option to publish in peer-reviewed journals)
Is a Wildlife Biology Degree Worth It?
Let’s talk outcomes. Wildlife Biology grads from UM have a strong track record of success in job placement and graduate school admissions. Employers know the UM Wildlife Biology brand means something. It’s built on decades of alumni leadership in conservation, from top federal agency jobs to global NGO impact.
This program has:
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Produced 8 Fulbright Scholars since 2016
- Earned recognition as the top Wildlife Biology program in North America (Academic Analytics, 2016)
- More students in UM’s Davidson Honors College than any other major
Graduates with a Wildlife Bio Degree go on to:
- Work for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, BLM and state wildlife agencies
- Lead conservation nonprofits
- Pursue veterinary school or environmental policy careers
- And for students interested in working in the West or with large mammals? There’s hardly a better place to train than Montana.
Personalized Education, National Impact
This is a large program with a small-program feel. With around 400 students and 25 faculty covering topics from "gene to biome," you get access to top-notch researchers who are also dedicated mentors. Many of the textbooks you’ll read were written by your professors. These same professors are award-winning scientists who bring in major research funding—and they’re pulling students into real projects with real-world impact.
Faculty have received the Aldo Leopold Memorial Award (the top honor in the field), and alumni like Frank Quamen (BLM), Karla Guyn (former CEO, DU Canada), Maurice Hornocker (puma pioneer) and Jeff Hagener (former FWP Director) have made waves across the globe.
And yes, we have program traditions too—you'll spot our iconic WBIO bear paw hat and stickers on packs and water bottles around the world.
Careers You Can Pursue with a Wildlife Biology Degree
From boots-on-the-ground fieldwork to national-level policy jobs, Wildlife Biology grads find themselves in roles that truly matter:
- Wildlife Biologist
- Conservation Scientist
- Ecologist
- Park Ranger
- Environmental Consultant
- Fisheries Biologist
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Wildlife Veterinarian
- Natural Resource Manager
- Policy Analyst for conservation agencies
- NGO Leader or Field Educator
- And if you're entrepreneurial? Think wildlife filmmaking, nonprofit startup or international research expeditions. The possibilities are wild.
Wildlife Biology Salary Info
Here are a few examples of national median salaries (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024):
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: $70,600
- Environmental Scientists: $80,060
- Conservation Scientists: $69,520
- Fish and Game Wardens: $59,860
Salary ranges vary by region and role, but what stays steady is the impact you’ll have on the environment and future of wildlife management.
Scholarships, Financial Aid & Cost
Worried about the cost? Don’t be. Wildlife Biology students at UM have access to more than $200,000 in scholarships awarded annually through UM's scholarship portal. Highlights include:
- 6-7 four-year recruitment scholarships each year
- Frequent recipients of the Presidential Leadership Scholarship via the Davidson Honors College
- Additional aid and support through private philanthropy and partner organizations
- UM offers an affordable education with high value and real return on investment—especially when it comes to professional development and job placement.
Study Wildlife Biology in Montana
So why study Wildlife Biology in Montana?
Because our mountains, rivers and plains are home to wolves, wolverines, grizzly bears and nearly every species native to the Northern Rockies. Our location between Glacier and Yellowstone gives students unrivaled access to field-based learning. And our relationships with conservation organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Boone and Crockett Club and Ducks Unlimited open doors other schools just can’t.
Montana’s intact ecosystems, passionate conservation community and abundance of public lands make it a living lab for wildlife professionals.
Earn Your Wildlife Biology Degree at the University of Montana
At UM, we believe what’s made in Montana is remaking the world. Our Wildlife Biology students graduate with deep experience, strong networks and a passion for protecting the wild.
If you’re looking for an affordable, top-ranked program with world-class faculty, field trips that double as career training and a reputation that opens doors, this is it.
