2027 Best Value Dairy Science Schools

[Dairy Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/dairy-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value dairy science schools.
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Finding the Best Value Dairy Science School for You
The dairy science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Dairy Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Dairy Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Dairy Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dairy science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dairy Science Schools
Northcentral Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value dairy science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $11,709. Dairy Science graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values for dairy science. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $23,183. Early-career dairy science graduates make about $37,852. That is a strong return on a $23,183 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the best values for dairy science. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career dairy science graduates make about $33,879. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dairy science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $20,875. Dairy Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $44,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #5 place for dairy science. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $26,000. Dairy Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $44,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value dairy science schools. Located in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,584, while out-of-state students pay about $36,362. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the dairy science program here. Dairy Science graduates of Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earn a median of $39,743 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value dairy science schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career dairy science graduates make about $39,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value dairy science schools. Set in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the dairy science program here. Dairy Science graduates of Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earn a median of $37,068 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Michigan State University came in at #9 for value in dairy science this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Dairy Science graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $41,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
South Dakota State University placed #10 among the best values for dairy science. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $23,162. Early-career dairy science graduates make about $44,844. That is a strong return on a $23,162 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #11 spot for dairy science value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $22,631 in student loans. Dairy Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $28,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,631 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware Valley College came in at #12 for value in dairy science this year. Located in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $27,000. Early-career dairy science graduates make about $38,378. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.