by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 124 U.S. colleges awarded 7,927 degrees and certificates in Animal Sciences, General. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 88% of graduates. College Factual ranks 90 schools in its 2027 Best Animal Sciences, General 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.
A major in Animal Sciences, General covers Animal Sciences, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Scientific Principles That Underlie The Breeding And Husbandry Of Agricultural Animals, And The Production, Processing, And Distribution Of Agricultural Animal Products. Includes Instruction In The Animal Sciences, Animal Husbandry And Production, And Agricultural And Food Products Processing.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, animal sciences, general is a widely-pursued major, with 7,927 degrees awarded annually. 124 colleges award animal sciences, general degrees, an average of 64 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 329.
By level, the 7,927 awards include 17 certificates, 217 associate degrees, 6,968 bachelor’s degrees, 534 master’s degrees and 176 doctorates.
Women earned 82% of animal sciences, general degrees and certificates in the latest year (6,482 of 7,927). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,091) and Hispanic or Latino (1,442), and international students earned 240.
College Factual ranks 90 schools in its 2027 Best Animal Sciences, General Schools ranking, including 9 for associate degrees, 83 for bachelor’s degrees, 20 for master’s degrees and 5 for doctorates. It also ranks animal sciences, general schools within 48 states. In all, 124 colleges offer animal sciences, general programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Animal Sciences, General Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common animal sciences, general credential is the bachelor’s degree: 6,968 of the 7,927 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to animal sciences, general 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.
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How long an animal sciences, general degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 17 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 217 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,968 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 534 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 176 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to animal sciences, general, at 47.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Animal Sciences, General, 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, Farm Agent and Youth Development Professional.
The occupation related to animal sciences, general 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 Sciences, General 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 sciences, general 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 Sciences, General has 7 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 850 degrees a year; the largest are Animal Sciences, Other (277), Animal Health (230) and Poultry Science (140). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal Sciences, Other | 277 |
| Animal Health | 230 |
| Poultry Science | 140 |
| Dairy Science | 125 |
| Livestock Management | 36 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 31 |
| Animal Nutrition | 11 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
