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California State University-Fresno offers the state's most affordable Animal Sciences program at just $6,480 net cost annually, while Cal Poly San Luis Obispo commands $15,624 despite both being public institutions. This $9,144 price gap reflects different funding models and campus amenities across the Cal State and UC systems. California's $50 billion agriculture industry, including major livestock operations in the Central Valley, creates steady demand for animal science graduates who earn between $28,598 and $32,711 starting salaries.
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
2 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
3 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
4 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
5 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the large cost differences between California's Animal Sciences programs?

CSU Fresno costs $6,480 annually compared to UC Davis at $15,288, reflecting different system funding and campus resources. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo sits at the high end with $15,624 despite being a Cal State campus due to its specialized polytechnic focus and smaller class sizes.

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

UC Davis and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo both achieve 85% graduation rates, significantly higher than CSU Fresno's 54.8%. The more selective programs with acceptance rates around 30-37% tend to produce better completion outcomes than schools accepting 95% of applicants.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher earnings in Animal Sciences?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $32,711 despite costing $15,624 annually. However, UC Davis graduates earn only $28,676 despite similar costs, showing that program reputation and industry connections matter more than price alone.

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