Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields

Best Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 62 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 25 states.

Institutions
62
offering CIP 01.05
States offered
25
with a program page
With earnings data
9
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
1,394
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$30,545
1 year after graduation
US pay · Animal Caretakers
$34,750
BLS OEWS 2024

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

What you'll learn

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 9 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$34,1041756%$17,490$23,250
2Midway University
Midway, KY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$33,6961341%$23,658$27,000
3Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,8814667%$24,066
4West Texas A & M University
Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,3622055%$21,559
5William Woods University
Fulton, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$30,5452047%$22,203$26,406
6Johnson & Wales University - Providence
Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,3631455%$31,634
7Merryfield Academy
Oakland Park, FL Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$24,8197878%$10,056$6,333
8The University of Findlay
Findlay, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$22,2113658%$23,128$26,000
9PPG Technical College
Caguas, PR Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$6,4819864%$7,344

Offered across 25 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
New Jerseylimited2$34,104Centenary University
Kentucky3$33,696Midway University
Colorado3$31,881Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Texas3$31,362West Texas A & M University
Missouri3$30,545William Woods University
Rhode Islandlimited1$27,363Johnson & Wales University - Providence
Florida3$24,819Merryfield Academy
Ohio5$22,211The University of Findlay
Arizonalimited2
Connecticutlimited1
Georgialimited1
Illinoislimited2
Indianalimited1
Mainelimited2
Massachusettslimited1
Montana3
New Mexicolimited1
New Yorklimited2
North Carolina4
North Dakotalimited2
Oklahomalimited1
Pennsylvania3
Tennesseelimited1
Virginialimited2
Wyoming4

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.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+12.1%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~74,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$33,470
typically High school diploma or equivalent
National employment
277,300
Animal Caretakers
US average pay
$34,750
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$33,470
annual

Top-paying metros

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$46,430avg
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$44,900avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$44,710avg
Yuba City, CA
$43,050avg
Kennewick-Richland, WA
$42,390avg

Related careers

Animal Caretakers
$34,750 avg · 277,300 jobs
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
$68,710 avg · 111,150 jobs
Animal Trainers
$45,780 avg · 20,110 jobs
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$97,790 avg · 8,700 jobs

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

Monitoring
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Writing
Active Learning
Mathematics

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
Administrative
English Language
Education and Training
Administration and Management
Psychology

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.

Tools & technology

CEEJS The Pet Groomer's SecretaryDaySmart Software 123PetDaySmart Software Appointment-PlusEnvision Pet GroomingGroom ProGroomsoftK9 Bytes K9 KoordinatorKennel Link

Concentrations within Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming
    CIP 01.0504

    A program that prepares individuals to provide cosmetic services for household pets, show animals, work animals and animal athletes

  • Animal Training
    CIP 01.0505

    A program that prepares individuals to teach and exercise animals for leisure, sport, show, and professional purposes

  • Equestrian/Equine Studies
    CIP 01.0507

    A program that focuses on the horse, horsemanship, and related subjects and prepares individuals to care for horses and horse equipment; ride and drive horses for leisure, sport, show, and professiona

  • Taxidermy/Taxidermist
    CIP 01.0508

    A program that prepares individuals to reproduce life-like three-dimensional representations of living animals for permanent display using elements of the deceased specimen(s) as well as artificial ma

  • Farrier Science
    CIP 01.0509

    A program of study that prepares individuals to become specialists in equine hoof care (farriers)

  • Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other
    CIP 01.0599

    Any instructional program in agricultural and domestic animal services not listed above.

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.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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