by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 139 U.S. colleges awarded 8,777 degrees and certificates in Animal Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 85% of graduates. College Factual ranks 96 schools in its 2027 Best Animal Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $34,873 one year after completing, rising to $49,436 after four years.
If you see yourself breeding, training, or raising animals, then a degree in Animal Science is for you.
Animal Science majors working with animals and envision a program to learn more about the creatures and how to properly work with them. Classes in Animal Science include animal biology and physiology, biochemistry, biology, and life sciences to learn the principles surrounding animal husbandry, livestock operations, and the business of agriculture.
Although schools offer the option to major in general Animal Science, there is also the option to specialize in areas such as Agricultural Animal Breeding, Animal Health, Animal Nutrition, Dairy Science, Livestock Management and Poultry Science.
A degree in Animal Science covers Animal Sciences.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., animal science draws strong interest, with 8,777 degrees awarded annually. 139 colleges award animal science degrees, an average of 63 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 382.
By level, the 8,777 awards include 50 certificates, 306 associate degrees, 7,441 bachelor’s degrees, 742 master’s degrees and 208 doctorates.
Women earned 81% of animal science degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,136 of 8,777). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,702) and Hispanic or Latino (1,536), and international students earned 276.
College Factual ranks 96 schools in its 2027 Best Animal Science Schools ranking, including 11 for associate degrees, 84 for bachelor’s degrees, 23 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks animal science schools within 48 states. In all, 139 colleges offer animal science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Animal Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common animal science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 7,441 of the 8,777 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to animal science call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Working with animals takes patience, compassion, and an interest in their well-being. The job requires strong problem solving skills and close attention to detail to assess any issues that come up during animal training, and to ensure animals are maintaining a proper diet and show no abnormal changes in behavior. Animal Scientists work closely with farmers and animal owners, so it is necessary to possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to ensure information about animals is properly and clearly shared with all necessary individuals.
Depending on the type of job pursued, the typical workweek of an Animal Science major varies. Animals require care around the clock, so hours may be irregular and require work at nights and on the weekends. Depending on where you work however, you may have a more typical office job that sticks to a 40-hour a week schedule.
When pursuing a career in Animal Science, experience working with animals is important. Try interning or working with an animal scientist, trainer or even a veterinarian to gain experience. Volunteering at a local animal shelter will also give you the opportunity to work with domestic animals. Employers look for and prefer previous experience working with animals while hiring job prospects.
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How long an animal science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 50 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 306 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,441 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 742 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 208 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to animal science, at 51.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 51.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Animal Science, with an average median salary of $62,730; the strongest outlook belongs to Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, County Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and Agriculture Extension Specialist.
There are many career options available to Animal Science majors. Many people immediately think of a career on a ranch or farm, but a degree in this field opens up opportunities in scientific research, management, or even sales. Animal Science majors also hold jobs as breeders, trainers, and animal nutritionists.
A degree in Animal Science makes you very appealing to employers.
The occupation related to animal science with the most projected jobs is Farm and Home Management Educators, at 1,304,119.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | 167,331 | 6.9% |
| Agricultural Technicians | 142,810 | 8.4% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
Animal Science graduates earn a median $34,873 one year after completing their program, $49,436 after four years and $54,093 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,873 |
| 4 years | $49,436 |
| 5 years | $54,093 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to animal science is Animal Scientists, with a median salary of $93,823.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | $93,823 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | $56,932 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Agricultural Technicians | $44,022 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
Animal Science includes 8 concentrations that together award 8,777 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Animal Sciences, General (7,927), Animal Sciences, Other (277) and Animal Health (230). It has 18 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 45,356 degrees a year; the largest are Agricultural Business and Management (8,920), Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians (8,916) and Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (4,242). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal Sciences, General | 7,927 |
| Animal Sciences, Other | 277 |
| Animal Health | 230 |
| Poultry Science | 140 |
| Dairy Science | 125 |
| Livestock Management | 36 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 31 |
| Animal Nutrition | 11 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management | 8,920 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 8,916 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | 4,242 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 3,882 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 3,822 |
| Plant Sciences | 3,510 |
| Agriculture, General | 3,002 |
| Food Science and Technology | 2,250 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 1,491 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | 1,217 |
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