Best institutions to study Poultry Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of poultry animals and the production and handling of poultry products.
9 U.S. institutions graduated 134 Poultry Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0907, a specialization of Animal Sciences (CIP 01.09), and leads most directly to the Animal Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1011).
About Poultry Science programs
A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of poultry animals and the production and handling of poultry products. Includes instruction in avian sciences, nutrition sciences, food science and technology, biochemistry, hatchery design, and related aspects of human and animal health and safety.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Poultry Science program, part of the Animal Sciences field, focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of poultry animals. This program is designed for students interested in enhancing their knowledge of avian sciences, nutrition, and food safety, preparing them for various roles in the agricultural sector. Students in this program will gain expertise in the production and handling of poultry products, making it suitable for those looking to contribute to the poultry industry. With a blend of scientific and practical skills, graduates will be equipped to address challenges in poultry management and production effectively.
Core coursework in Poultry Science includes subjects such as avian sciences, nutrition sciences, food science and technology, and biochemistry. Students will develop essential skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, enabling them to analyze and improve poultry production practices.
Credentials awarded
What Poultry Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree79 graduates / yr · 6 institutions59%
- Master's degree36 graduates / yr · 4 institutions27%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 3 institutions9.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.5%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Poultry Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 181 |
| 2013 | 184 |
| 2014 | 103 |
| 2015 | 138 |
| 2016 | 147 |
| 2017 | 144 |
| 2018 | 140 |
| 2019 | 171 |
| 2020 | 159 |
| 2021 | 213 |
| 2022 | 203 |
| 2023 | 172 |
| 2024 | 158 |
| 2025 | 134 |
Top 9 institutions for Poultry Science, 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 | 47 | 84% | — | $35,582 |
| 2 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 25 | 90% | — | $31,769 |
| 3 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 71% | — | $32,417 |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 85% | — | $33,332 |
| 5 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 10 | 82% | — | $34,980 |
| 6 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 10 | 67% | — | $41,464 |
| 7 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 3 | 43% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 85% | — | $34,073 |
| 9 | Athens Technical College Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 51% | — | — |
* 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 7 states
Where Poultry Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Animal Sciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 47 | Texas A&M University - College Station47 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 26 | University of Georgia25 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 18 | University of Arkansas18 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 18 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh18 / yr |
| Mississippi | 2 | 13 | Mississippi State University10 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 10 | Auburn University10 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 2 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1011, Animal Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Poultry Science program can pursue careers as Animal Scientists and other related roles within the agricultural sector. The job outlook for this field is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.8% and approximately 200 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is around $79,120, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0907
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 Poultry Science 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 01.09017,897 graduates / yr124 institutions
- Animal SciencesCIP 01.0999274 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Animal HealthCIP 01.0903partial data230 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 Poultry Science?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You'll develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, science, critical thinking, and communication.
What types of jobs can I get with a degree in Poultry Science?+
You can work as an Animal Scientist, Agricultural Technician, or in various management roles in agriculture.
What is the job outlook for Poultry Science graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.8% and about 200 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Poultry Science?+
Poultry Science is CIP 01.0907 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Animal Sciences (CIP 01.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of poultry animals and the production and handling of poultry products. Includes instruction in avian sciences, nutrition sciences, food science and technology, biochemistry, hatchery design, and related aspects of human and animal health and safety.
How many institutions offer Poultry Science programs?+
9 U.S. institutions reported Poultry Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 134 credentials in the year. That is 1.5% of all Animal Sciences graduates.
How much do Poultry Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Animal Scientists occupation, which Poultry Science 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.
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