Best Colleges for Animal Sciences

Animal Sciences programs prepare students for careers in veterinary medicine, livestock management, research, and agricultural industries. With 83 schools offering this major nationwide, graduates typically earn around $29,774 annually in entry-level positions, though earnings potential increases significantly with advanced degrees and specialization.

When evaluating Animal Sciences programs, students should prioritize hands-on laboratory experience, access to research facilities, and internship opportunities with farms, veterinary clinics, or agricultural companies. Strong programs feature modern animal care facilities, partnerships with local farms, and faculty actively engaged in research. Look for curricula that balance fundamental biological sciences with practical animal husbandry skills, as this combination provides the best foundation for career advancement in this growing field.

Schools Ranked

$35,394

Avg. Program Earnings

67.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri	$41,937	57.5%	public
2	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$41,441	59.6%	public
3	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$39,585	66.9%	public
4	Dordt University Sioux Center, Iowa	$39,369	65.3%	private-nonprofit
5	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$38,289	75.5%	public
6	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$37,856	63.7%	public
7	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$36,488	89.3%	public
8	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$35,594	65.8%	public
9	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$35,546	82.2%	public
10	West Texas A & M University Canyon, Texas	$35,420	47.3%	public
11	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$35,416	61.5%	public
12	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$35,060	83.8%	public
13	University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas	$34,793	70.0%	public
14	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$34,704	67.5%	public
15	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$33,708	60.9%	public
16	Auburn University Auburn, Alabama	$33,459	79.2%	public
17	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri	$33,281	76.2%	public
18	Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas	$33,192	70.5%	public
19	Delaware Valley University Doylestown, Pennsylvania	$32,976	52.2%	private-nonprofit
20	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$32,925	56.3%	public
21	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$32,925	45.6%	public
22	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$32,925	83.1%	public
23	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$32,711	85.2%	public
24	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$32,687	87.7%	public
25	Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Portales, New Mexico	$32,569	39.8%	public