by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Health](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/animal-health/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for animal health students.
What’s on this page:
The right animal health school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Animal Health Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Animal Health Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animal health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Murray State University tops our 2027 list of the best value animal health schools in the United States. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for animal health graduates is $23,420. Early-career animal health graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Morehead State University one of the best values for animal health. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Animal Health graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Animal Health graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal health, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for animal health graduates is $22,250. Animal Health graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $31,769 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value animal health schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Animal Health graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans. Early-career animal health graduates make about $42,723. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in animal health will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Animal Health graduates carry a median of $20,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal health degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $39,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Texas Tech University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value animal health schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for animal health graduates is $21,369. Soon after graduation, animal health degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $34,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value animal health schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal health graduates is $22,757. Animal Health graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $38,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,757 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #8 position for value in animal health this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete the animal health program here. Animal Health graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Set against $23,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Harcum College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value animal health schools. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,000 in tuition and fees. Animal Health graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Animal Health graduates of Harcum College earn a median of $27,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
Animal Health is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.