Best colleges for Animal Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Animal Sciences by graduate earnings are University of Wisconsin-Platteville ($44,956), South Dakota State University ($44,844) and University of Wisconsin-Madison ($44,354), 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%.
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Platteville, WI): $44,956, 36 graduates a year
- South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD): $44,844, 97 graduates a year
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI): $44,354, 65 graduates a year
- Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, MS): $41,464, 88 graduates a year
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI): $41,292, 184 graduates a year
Compare 139 U.S. colleges offering Animal Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.
Animal Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,926 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.09 and the Animal Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Animal Sciences programs
The Animal Sciences program focuses on the study of animals within the context of agricultural, veterinary, and related fields. It encompasses various specializations such as Animal Health, Dairy Science, and Livestock Management, making it suitable for students interested in improving animal welfare, production, and management practices. This program is ideal for those passionate about animals and their role in agriculture and society.
Students in the Animal Sciences program gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and science. Coursework often includes topics in biology, chemistry, and nutrition, preparing graduates to understand animal needs and improve practices in feeding, housing, and health management.
Top 25 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 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,956 | 36 | 56% | — | $20,875 |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,844 | 97 | 62% | — | $23,162 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,354 | 65 | 90% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,464 | 88 | 67% | — | $20,938 |
| 5 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,292 | 184 | 81% | — | $26,000 |
| 6 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,317 | 32 | 81% | — | $24,572 |
| 7 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,311 | 97 | 57% | — | $17,585 |
| 8 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,209 | 66 | 89% | — | $21,500 |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,008 | 32 | 83% | — | $27,000 |
| 10 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,567 | 227 | 75% | — | $21,500 |
| 11 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,290 | 35 | 64% | — | $23,625 |
| 12 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,064 | 91 | 67% | — | $20,981 |
| 13 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,868 | 268 | 71% | — | $22,757 |
| 14 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,378 | 82 | 56% | $25,402 | $27,000 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,852 | 136 | 57% | — | $23,183 |
| 16 | University of Maine Orono, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,823 | 41 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 17 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,712 | 102 | 83% | — | $23,515 |
| 18 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,349 | 132 | 68% | — | $15,550 |
| 19 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,068 | 107 | 42% | — | $24,000 |
| 20 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,486 | 50 | 57% | — | $25,000 |
| 21 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,235 | 264 | 68% | — | $19,500 |
| 22 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,204 | 104 | 95% | $17,613 | $14,100 |
| 23 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,111 | 103 | 67% | — | $22,045 |
| 24 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,996 | 61 | 68% | — | $18,195 |
| 25 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,686 | 64 | 57% | — | $28,043 |
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 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Wooster, OH Public · Associate degree | $39,743 | 43 | 43% | — | $12,000 |
| 2 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE Public · Associate degree Small program | $35,931 | 12 | 56% | — | — |
Specializations within Animal Sciences
8 of the 8 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.09 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Animal SciencesCIP 01.09017,897 graduates / yr124 institutions48 states
- Animal SciencesCIP 01.0999274 graduates / yr10 institutions9 states
- Animal HealthCIP 01.0903partial data230 graduates / yr9 institutions8 states
- Poultry ScienceCIP 01.0907partial data134 graduates / yr9 institutions7 states
- Dairy ScienceCIP 01.0905121 graduates / yr14 institutions10 states
- Livestock ManagementCIP 01.0906partial data36 graduates / yr8 institutions6 states
- Agricultural Animal BreedingCIP 01.0902partial data31 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Animal NutritionCIP 01.0904limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 49 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1011, Animal Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Animal Sciences program can pursue careers in various fields, with a projected job growth rate of 5.8% and approximately 200 annual openings. Median wages for professionals in this area are around $79,120, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Animal Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.09 (Animal Sciences) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9013 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers |
| 19-1011 | Animal Scientistsprimary |
| 19-4012 | Agricultural Technicians |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educators |
| 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Animal Sciences 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
- Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
- Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
- Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
- Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
- Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
- Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.
Common questions
What specializations are available in Animal Sciences?+
Specializations include Animal Sciences, Agricultural Animal Breeding, Animal Health, Animal Nutrition, Dairy Science, Livestock Management, and Poultry Science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, science, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Animal Sciences graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.8% and about 200 annual job openings.
What level of education do I need for a career in Animal Sciences?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Animal Sciences graduates earn?+
Animal Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,926, College Scorecard (2019); the Animal Scientists occupation pays about $88,350 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Animal Sciences?+
Animal Sciences maps to CIP 01.09 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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