2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in California
[Animal Sciences, General](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/general-animal-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 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 California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animal sciences, general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools
California State University Fresno tops our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools in California. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $17,585 in student loans. Animal Sciences, General graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $40,311 early in their careers. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $15,550 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $37,349. Set against $15,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
California State University Chico came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $17,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #4 place for animal sciences, general. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,309. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in animal sciences, general will find it at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $33,879. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
