Best institutions to study Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production
A program that prepares individuals to select, breed, care for, process, and market livestock and small farm animals.
55 U.S. institutions graduated 860 Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0302, a specialization of Agricultural Production Operations (CIP 01.03), and leads most directly to the Animal Breeders occupation (BLS SOC 45-2021).
About Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production programs
A program that prepares individuals to select, breed, care for, process, and market livestock and small farm animals. Includes instruction in basic animal science, animal nutrition, and animal health as applied to various species and breeds; design and operation of housing, feeding, and processing facilities; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics, and supply.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production program prepares individuals for careers in the agricultural sector, focusing on the selection, breeding, care, processing, and marketing of livestock and small farm animals. This program is ideal for those passionate about animal care and agricultural production, providing essential skills for managing various species and breeds effectively.
Learn more about Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production →
Students will gain knowledge in basic animal science, nutrition, and health, along with practical skills in housing design, feeding operations, and safety regulations. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking and active learning, equipping graduates with the tools needed to succeed in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree391 graduates / yr · 35 institutions46%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year301 graduates / yr · 23 institutions35%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years125 graduates / yr · 13 institutions15%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate19 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.2%
- Bachelor's degree12 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
- Master's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 604 |
| 2013 | 553 |
| 2014 | 557 |
| 2015 | 629 |
| 2016 | 607 |
| 2017 | 700 |
| 2018 | 695 |
| 2019 | 798 |
| 2020 | 1,037 |
| 2021 | 878 |
| 2022 | 871 |
| 2023 | 900 |
| 2024 | 841 |
| 2025 | 860 |
Top 50 institutions for Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 99 | 40% | — | — |
| 2 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 54 | 39% | — | — |
| 3 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 53 | 44% | — | — |
| 4 | Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 40 | 55% | — | — |
| 5 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 30% | — | — |
| 6 | Reedley College Reedley, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 42% | — | — |
| 7 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 33 | 45% | — | — |
| 8 | Black Hawk College Moline, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 40% | — | — |
| 9 | PPG Technical College Caguas, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 64% | $7,344 | — |
| 10 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 24 | 21% | — | — |
| 11 | Merced College Merced, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 36% | — | — |
| 12 | Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 21 | 45% | — | — |
| 13 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 19 | 75% | — | — |
| 14 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 50% | — | — |
| 15 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 62% | — | — |
| 16 | John Wood Community College Quincy, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 49% | — | — |
| 17 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 17 | 49% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Puerto Rico - Utuado Utuado, PRPublicAssociate's | 17 | 23% | — | — |
| 19 | Yuba College Marysville, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 40% | — | — |
| 20 | Cleveland Community College Shelby, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 16 | 32% | — | — |
| 21 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicAssociate's | 16 | 85% | — | $35,198 |
| 22 | Sampson Community College Clinton, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 56% | — | — |
| 23 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SDPublicAssociate's | 16 | 76% | — | $40,871 |
| 24 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAssociate's | 15 | 65% | — | — |
| 25 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WIPublicAssociate's | 15 | 66% | — | — |
| 26 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NEPublicAssociate's | 14 | 38% | — | — |
| 27 | Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NYPublicAssociate's | 14 | 32% | — | $33,131 |
| 28 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 43% | — | — |
| 29 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 43% | — | — |
| 30 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IAPublicAssociate's | 10 | 40% | — | — |
| 31 | James Sprunt Community College Kenansville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 10 | 48% | — | — |
| 32 | Surry Community College Dobson, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 6% | — | — |
| 33 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Wooster, OHPublicAssociate's | 10 | 43% | — | $33,940 |
| 34 | Feather River Community College District Quincy, CAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 35% | — | — |
| 35 | Lassen Community College Susanville, CAPublicAssociate's | 9 | 31% | — | — |
| 36 | Blue Mountain Community College Pendleton, ORPublicAssociate's | 8 | 30% | — | — |
| 37 | Otero College La Junta, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 7 | 38% | — | — |
| 38 | Jefferson Community College Watertown, NYPublicAssociate's | 7 | 28% | — | — |
| 39 | Ridgewater College Willmar, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 50% | — | — |
| 40 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 23% | — | — |
| 41 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 5 | 88% | — | $33,940 |
| 42 | Joliet Junior College Joliet, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 4 | 21% | — | — |
| 43 | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 38% | — | — |
| 44 | Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 50% | — | — |
| 45 | Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 56% | — | — |
| 46 | Huntington University Huntington, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 64% | $13,056 | — |
| 47 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 51% | — | $38,924 |
| 48 | Eastern Wyoming College Torrington, WYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 52% | — | — |
| 49 | College of Central Florida Ocala, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 44% | — | — |
| 50 | Aims Community College Greeley, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 40% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Agricultural Production Operations field (CIP 01.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 21 states & territories
Where Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production graduates come from. Each state links to all Agricultural Production Operations programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13 | 311 | College of the Sequoias54 / yr |
| North Carolina | 7 | 125 | Wilkes Community College40 / yr |
| Indiana | 2 | 102 | Ivy Tech Community College99 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 5 | 57 | Chippewa Valley Technical College19 / yr |
| Illinois | 3 | 46 | Black Hawk College25 / yr |
| Iowa | 5 | 44 | Iowa State University19 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 42 | PPG Technical College25 / yr |
| Mississippi | 2 | 33 | Northwest Mississippi Community College21 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 21 | Niagara County Community College14 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 16 | Mitchell Technical College16 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 15 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute10 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 14 | Southeast Community College Area14 / yr |
| Colorado | 2 | 8 | Otero College7 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 8 | Blue Mountain Community College8 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 6 | Ridgewater College6 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 4 | Walla Walla Community College4 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 3 | Eastern Wyoming College3 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | College of Central Florida2 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 1 | Butler Community College1 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 1 | Bismarck State College1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | Southern Utah University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 45-2021, Animal Breeders, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Animal Breeders, Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers. The job outlook is steady, with an expected growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,200 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is around $52,000, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Animal Breedersprimary SOC 45-2021 | $51,130 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers SOC 11-9013 | $89,900 | -1.3% Decline | ~85,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers SOC 45-1011 | $59,320 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Farm and Home Management Educators SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
- Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
- Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
- Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
- Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
- Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
Tools and technology used
Other Agricultural Production Operations specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Agricultural Production Operations (CIP 01.03).
- Agricultural Production OperationsCIP 01.0301968 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Agroecology and Sustainable AgricultureCIP 01.0308767 graduates / yr77 institutions
- Crop ProductionCIP 01.0304526 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Horse Husbandry/CIP 01.0307
Equine Science and Management 479 graduates / yr43 institutions - AquacultureCIP 01.0303131 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Dairy Husbandry and ProductionCIP 01.0306partial data63 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Agricultural Production OperationsCIP 01.0399limited data10 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Apiculture01.0310
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, a shorter award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, animal care, and basic science related to animal husbandry.
What jobs can I get after completing this program?+
Possible careers include Animal Breeder, Farmer, Rancher, and Agricultural Manager.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 55 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production program.
What is the CIP code for Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production?+
Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production is CIP 01.0302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Agricultural Production Operations (CIP 01.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to select, breed, care for, process, and market livestock and small farm animals. Includes instruction in basic animal science, animal nutrition, and animal health as applied to various species and breeds; design and operation of housing, feeding, and processing facilities; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics, and supply.
How many institutions offer Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production programs?+
55 U.S. institutions reported Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 21 states & territories, awarding 860 credentials in the year. That is 22.6% of all Agricultural Production Operations graduates.
How much do Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Animal Breeders occupation, which Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production most directly leads to, pays a median of $51,130 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Agricultural Production Operations field report median earnings of $35,198 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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