Best institutions to study Animal Sciences
A general program that focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding and husbandry of agricultural animals, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural animal products.
124 U.S. institutions graduated 7,897 Animal Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0901, a specialization of Animal Sciences (CIP 01.09), and leads most directly to the Animal Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1011).
About Animal Sciences programs
A general program that focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding and husbandry of agricultural animals, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural animal products. Includes instruction in the animal sciences, animal husbandry and production, and agricultural and food products processing.
See also: 26.0701 - Zoology/Animal Biology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Animal Sciences program offers a comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles related to the breeding and husbandry of agricultural animals. This program is designed for students interested in the production, processing, and distribution of animal products, providing a solid foundation for those pursuing careers in agricultural sciences.
Students will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking, along with knowledge in biology, chemistry, and food production. Coursework typically covers animal nutrition, management practices, and research methodologies.
Credentials awarded
What Animal Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,938 graduates / yr · 90 institutions88%
- Master's degree479 graduates / yr · 51 institutions6.1%
- Associate's degree217 graduates / yr · 30 institutions2.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship176 graduates / yr · 37 institutions2.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year48 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years17 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks15 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate7 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Animal Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,392 |
| 2013 | 5,629 |
| 2014 | 5,880 |
| 2015 | 6,237 |
| 2016 | 6,363 |
| 2017 | 6,478 |
| 2018 | 6,816 |
| 2019 | 7,037 |
| 2020 | 7,308 |
| 2021 | 7,591 |
| 2022 | 7,466 |
| 2023 | 7,625 |
| 2024 | 7,492 |
| 2025 | 7,897 |
Top 50 institutions for Animal Sciences, 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 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 328 | 84% | — | $35,582 |
| 2 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 318 | 86% | — | $32,309 |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 299 | 69% | — | $34,933 |
| 4 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 253 | 68% | — | $36,235 |
| 5 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 224 | 71% | — | $38,868 |
| 6 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 220 | 48% | — | $30,695 |
| 7 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 219 | 75% | — | $39,567 |
| 8 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 216 | 85% | — | $33,332 |
| 9 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 205 | 83% | — | $35,318 |
| 10 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 184 | 86% | — | $28,729 |
| 11 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 181 | 85% | — | $30,187 |
| 12 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 174 | 81% | — | $41,292 |
| 13 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 153 | 86% | — | $33,879 |
| 14 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeksMaster'sDoctoral | 150 | 91% | — | $31,294 |
| 15 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 137 | 75% | — | $34,678 |
| 16 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicBachelor's | 132 | 68% | — | $37,349 |
| 17 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 128 | 82% | — | $34,980 |
| 18 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor's | 127 | 87% | — | $28,942 |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WIPublicBachelor's | 127 | 57% | — | $37,852 |
| 20 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 126 | 88% | — | $33,642 |
| 21 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 119 | 69% | — | $29,793 |
| 22 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 118 | 74% | — | $26,515 |
| 23 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 117 | 65% | — | $31,103 |
| 24 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 113 | 55% | — | $34,051 |
| 25 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 104 | 95% | $17,613 | $36,204 |
| 26 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 103 | 67% | — | $36,111 |
| 27 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster'sDoctoral | 102 | 83% | — | $37,712 |
| 28 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 98 | 85% | — | $34,073 |
| 29 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor's | 97 | 57% | — | $40,311 |
| 30 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 97 | 42% | — | $37,068 |
| 31 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 96 | 49% | — | $14,123 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 94 | 86% | — | $33,182 |
| 33 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 93 | 55% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 90 | 67% | — | $39,064 |
| 35 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 89 | 62% | — | $44,844 |
| 36 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 89 | 60% | — | $31,911 |
| 37 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 88 | 71% | — | $32,417 |
| 38 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 86 | 79% | — | $34,467 |
| 39 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 82 | 84% | — | $33,926 |
| 40 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 78 | 63% | — | $33,387 |
| 41 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 78 | 67% | — | $41,464 |
| 42 | Tuskegee University Tuskegee, ALPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 75 | 55% | $33,313 | $24,211 |
| 43 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 74 | 55% | — | $28,475 |
| 44 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 73 | 73% | — | $35,520 |
| 45 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 73 | 55% | — | $33,358 |
| 46 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 70 | 70% | — | $32,893 |
| 47 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 66 | 89% | — | $40,209 |
| 48 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 66 | 42% | — | $20,036 |
| 49 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 61 | 68% | — | $35,996 |
| 50 | Angelo State University San Angelo, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 60 | 44% | — | $28,820 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Animal Sciences field (CIP 01.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 48 states & territories
Where Animal Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Animal Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1011, Animal Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Animal Sciences program can pursue various careers, primarily as Animal Scientists. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 5.8% and approximately 200 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $79,120, and a Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0901
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 Scientistsprimary SOC 19-1011 | $68,940 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~200 | Bachelor's degree |
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 |
Agricultural Technicians SOC 19-4012 | $49,630 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~2,900 | Associate's degree |
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 Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Animal Sciences 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Animal Sciences specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Animal Sciences (CIP 01.09).
- Animal SciencesCIP 01.0999274 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Animal HealthCIP 01.0903partial data230 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Poultry ScienceCIP 01.0907partial data134 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Dairy ScienceCIP 01.0905121 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Livestock ManagementCIP 01.0906partial data36 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Agricultural Animal BreedingCIP 01.0902partial data31 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Animal NutritionCIP 01.0904limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Animal Sciences?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, or Doctor's degree in Animal Sciences.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, communication, and monitoring.
What careers can I pursue with an Animal Sciences degree?+
You can become an Animal Scientist, Farmer, Agricultural Technician, or more.
What is the job outlook for Animal Sciences graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.8% and 200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Animal Sciences?+
Animal Sciences is CIP 01.0901 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Animal Sciences (CIP 01.09). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding and husbandry of agricultural animals, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural animal products. Includes instruction in the animal sciences, animal husbandry and production, and agricultural and food products processing.
How many institutions offer Animal Sciences programs?+
124 U.S. institutions reported Animal Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 48 states & territories, awarding 7,897 credentials in the year. That is 90.4% of all Animal Sciences graduates.
How much do Animal Sciences graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Animal Scientists occupation, which Animal Sciences most directly leads to, pays a median of $68,940 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Animal Sciences field report median earnings of $34,073 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Animal Sciences graduates, so its figures match the Animal Sciences program page.
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