Cheapest Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services Colleges

Texas A & M University-Commerce breaks the affordability barrier for agricultural education with a net price of just $11,268, making it the clear leader among affordable programs preparing students for careers in animal services. The gap between the most and least expensive options spans over $10,000, with private institutions like Centenary University reaching $19,037 despite offering similar career preparation. Agricultural and domestic animal services programs have gained traction across the Midwest and Plains states, where livestock operations and veterinary support services drive employment in rural economies. Graduates typically earn between $20,140 and $31,133 within years of completing their degrees, though this varies significantly by specialization and geographic location. North Dakota State leads in graduation rates at 63.7 percent, while several schools maintain acceptance rates above 90 percent, reflecting the industry's need for qualified professionals. The University of Montana-Western offers particularly strong value for in-state students at $6,430, though its 36.31 percent acceptance rate suggests more selective admission standards than most programs in this field.

Programs

$11,268 – $45,450

Net Price Range

$24,961

Avg. Program Earnings

52.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
2	Bethany College Bethany, West Virginia	$15,306	$34,816	46.3%	64.9%
3	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$16,334	$10,857	63.7%	95.7%
4	The University of Montana-Western Dillon, Montana	$16,669	$6,430	49.5%	36.3%
5	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, New York	$17,980	$8,676	40.9%	84.0%
6	Rocky Mountain College Billings, Montana	$18,508	$33,252	46.7%	75.2%
7	Centenary University Hackettstown, New Jersey	$19,037	$37,732	56.6%	96.5%
8	Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania	$19,173	$41,720	72.8%	73.1%
9	Post University Waterbury, Connecticut	$19,196	$17,100	35.3%
10	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$20,332	$12,896	66.9%	90.8%
11	Asbury University Wilmore, Kentucky	$20,428	$33,640	65.0%	78.7%
12	Emory & Henry University Emory, Virginia	$20,591	$35,280	53.8%	96.9%
13	West Texas A & M University Canyon, Texas	$20,841	$9,101	47.3%	91.6%
14	Vermont State University Randolph, Vermont	$20,865	$11,400	48.9%	49.8%
15	Houghton University Houghton, New York	$21,148	$17,290	64.7%	77.0%
16	Wilson College Chambersburg, Pennsylvania	$21,241	$27,000	51.8%	94.1%
17	Lake Erie College Painesville, Ohio	$21,296	$36,032	41.9%	54.1%
18	Otterbein University Westerville, Ohio	$22,140	$34,899	68.9%	83.7%
19	William Woods University Fulton, Missouri	$22,270	$28,860	57.0%	61.5%
20	Wilmington College Wilmington, Ohio	$22,872	$30,962	55.1%	88.1%
21	Averett University Danville, Virginia	$23,262	$38,550	43.6%	76.0%
22	Stephens College Columbia, Missouri	$23,277	$28,200	46.5%	64.2%
23	The University of Findlay Findlay, Ohio	$23,731	$39,646	62.6%	86.0%
24	Midway University Midway, Kentucky	$23,863	$26,080	46.4%	93.8%
25	Delaware Valley University Doylestown, Pennsylvania	$27,243	$43,300	52.2%	95.4%
26	Webber International University Babson Park, Florida	$29,932	$32,150	26.0%	49.0%
27	Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, Rhode Island	$32,478	$40,408	54.9%	83.4%
28	St. Andrews University Laurinburg, North Carolina	$33,756	$30,800	27.1%	64.8%
29	Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana	$43,465	$33,490	52.3%	78.2%
30	Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, Georgia	$45,450	$40,595	70.5%	81.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A & M University-Commerce the most affordable option?

Texas A & M University-Commerce offers the lowest net price at $11,268, with in-state tuition of just $10,026. The university maintains an 86.45 percent acceptance rate while achieving a 45.9 percent graduation rate. This combination of low cost and reasonable outcomes makes it particularly attractive for students seeking agricultural training without excessive debt.

How much can graduates expect to earn in animal services careers?

Starting salaries for agricultural and domestic animal services graduates range from $20,140 to $31,133, depending on specialization and location. Centenary University graduates earn $31,133 on average, while Asbury University graduates start at $20,140. Colorado State graduates earn $30,926 with median debt of $21,968, showing strong return on investment potential.

Is the graduation rate significantly different between public and private schools?

Saint Francis University leads with a 72.8 percent graduation rate, while North Dakota State achieves 63.7 percent among public options. Most programs fall between 40 and 50 percent graduation rates, with SUNY Cobleskill at 40.9 percent representing the lower end. Private institutions tend to show slightly higher completion rates, though the difference varies considerably by individual school.

Does geographic location affect program costs substantially?

Geographic location creates significant cost variations, particularly for in-state students. The University of Montana-Western charges just $6,430 for residents, while Colorado State charges $12,896 for in-state tuition. Out-of-state students face much higher costs, with Saint Francis University reaching $41,720. Western and Plains states generally offer lower in-state rates for agricultural programs.

Where do acceptance rates suggest the most competitive programs?

The University of Montana-Western shows the most selective admission at 36.31 percent acceptance, followed by Vermont State University at 49.78 percent. Most programs maintain high acceptance rates above 75 percent, with Emory & Henry University accepting 96.85 percent of applicants. This accessibility reflects industry demand for qualified animal services professionals across rural and agricultural regions.

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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.