2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the Far Western Region
[Animal Sciences, General](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/general-animal-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal sciences, general education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for animal sciences, general students.
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2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal sciences, general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools
California State University Fresno earned the #1 spot for value among animal sciences, general schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,585 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $40,311. Set against $17,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal sciences, general, landing the #2 spot this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $15,550. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $37,349. That is a strong return on a $15,550 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Hawaii At Manoa one of the best values for animal sciences, general. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $24,125. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $31,285. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington State University earned it the #4 place for animal sciences, general. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $19,545 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $31,911. Set against $19,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,334 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $33,387. Set against $17,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #7 spot for animal sciences, general value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Animal Sciences, General graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $33,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $22,362 in student loans. Animal Sciences, General graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $32,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
