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Best Value Animal Sciences Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California State University-Fresno delivers the state's most affordable Animal Sciences education at $6,480 net cost, while UC Davis graduates enter the workforce with just $13,000 in debt despite higher upfront expenses. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo stands apart with an 85.20% graduation rate and $32,711 median earnings. California's massive agricultural sector, spanning from Central Valley livestock operations to coastal aquaculture facilities, creates steady demand for animal science professionals across the state's $50 billion agriculture industry.
5
Programs
$6,480 – $15,624
Net Price Range
$30,088
Avg. Program Earnings
71.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Animal Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,480 $28,598 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
2 $11,580 $31,081 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
3 $15,624 $32,711 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
4 $14,838 $29,374 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
5 $15,288 $28,676 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $9,144 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Cal State Fresno's $6,480 net cost reflects its location in the Central Valley where living expenses remain lower than coastal areas. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's $15,624 net cost includes higher housing costs in a desirable college town, though graduates earn $4,113 more annually on average.

How do graduation rates vary among California's Animal Sciences programs?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Davis both achieve 85% graduation rates, significantly higher than the state average. In contrast, Cal State Fresno graduates 54.80% of students despite offering the lowest net cost, suggesting financial accessibility doesn't always translate to completion success.

Does higher selectivity correlate with better career outcomes in Animal Sciences?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accepts just 30.43% of applicants and produces the highest-earning graduates at $32,711 annually. However, UC Davis shows that selectivity alone doesn't guarantee top earnings, as its graduates earn $4,035 less despite a competitive 37.34% acceptance rate.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.