Best colleges for Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services by graduate earnings are Centenary University ($34,104), Midway University ($33,696) and Colorado State University - Fort Collins ($31,881), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Centenary University (Hackettstown, NJ): $34,104, 21 graduates a year
- Midway University (Midway, KY): $33,696, 24 graduates a year
- Colorado State University - Fort Collins (Fort Collins, CO): $31,881, 47 graduates a year
- The University of Findlay (Findlay, OH): $22,211, 37 graduates a year
Compare 65 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 25 states.
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $30,545 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.05 and the Animal Caretakers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services programs
The Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services program focuses on the care, management, and training of various animals, including pets and livestock. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about animal welfare and seeking a career in veterinary science or animal services. Students will gain hands-on experience and knowledge applicable to various animal-related fields.
Learn more about Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services →
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as monitoring animal health, providing treatment, and understanding animal behavior. Coursework covers topics like animal grooming, training, and facility management, ensuring a well-rounded education in animal care.
Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,104 | 21 | 56% | $17,490 | $23,250 |
| 2 | Midway University Midway, KY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,696 | 24 | 41% | $23,658 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,881 | 47 | 67% | — | $24,066 |
| 4 | The University of Findlay Findlay, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,211 | 37 | 58% | $23,128 | $26,000 |
| 5 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,362 | 11 | 55% | — | $21,559 |
| 6 | William Woods University Fulton, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,545 | 13 | 47% | $22,203 | $26,406 |
| 7 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,363 | 6 | 55% | $31,634 | — |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merryfield Academy Oakland Park, FL Private for-profit · Certificate | $24,819 | 89 | 78% | $10,056 | $6,333 |
| 2 | PPG Technical College Caguas, PR Private for-profit · Certificate | $6,481 | 92 | 64% | $7,344 | — |
Specializations within Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
5 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Equestrian/CIP 01.0507
Equine Studies 573 graduates / yr47 institutions21 states - Dog/CIP 01.0504
Pet/ Animal Grooming 408 graduates / yr11 institutions4 states - Animal TrainingCIP 01.0505partial data164 graduates / yr5 institutions4 states
- Agricultural and Domestic Animal ServicesCIP 01.0599partial data32 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Taxidermy/CIP 01.0508
Taxidermist limited data12 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 6 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Farrier Science01.0509
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 25 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | $34,104 | Centenary University |
| Kentucky | 3 | $33,696 | Midway University |
| Colorado | 4 | $31,881 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins |
| Texas | 4 | $31,362 | West Texas A & M University |
| Missouri | 3 | $30,545 | William Woods University |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | $27,363 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence |
| Florida | 4 | $24,819 | Merryfield Academy |
| Ohio | 8 | $22,211 | The University of Findlay |
| Puerto Rico | 6 | $6,481 | PPG Technical College |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Maine | 3 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Montana | 3 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 3 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wyoming | 4 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-2021, Animal Caretakers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services program can pursue careers in various fields, including animal grooming, training, and equestrian studies. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 12.1% and approximately 74,600 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is around $33,470, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.05 (Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1194 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 39-2011 | Animal Trainers |
| 39-2021 | Animal Caretakersprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
- Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
- Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
- Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
- Do facility laundry and clean, organize, maintain, and disinfect animal quarters, such as pens and stables, and equipment, such as saddles and bridles.
- Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
Common questions
What types of animals will I work with?+
You will work with both domestic pets and agricultural animals, gaining experience in various animal care practices.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring animal health, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Career opportunities include roles in animal grooming, training, equestrian studies, and veterinary assistance.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 12.1% and about 74,600 annual job openings.
How much do Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services graduates earn?+
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $30,545, College Scorecard (2019); the Animal Caretakers occupation pays about $37,300 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services?+
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services maps to CIP 01.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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