2027 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Animal Sciences, General](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/general-animal-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal sciences, general education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal sciences, general students.
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2027 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal sciences, general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools
Northeast Community College earned the #1 spot for value among animal sciences, general schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $35,931. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Crookston one of the best values for animal sciences, general. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Animal Sciences, General graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $35,072 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal sciences, general, landing the #3 spot this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $23,625. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $39,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for animal sciences, general. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $34,073. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal sciences, general, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $23,000. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $34,876. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #6 spot for animal sciences, general value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $20,981. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $39,064. Set against $20,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #7 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $19,687. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,675. Set against $19,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,567. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $22,757. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $38,868. That is a strong return on a $22,757 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
South Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. 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, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $44,844. Set against $23,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #11 spot for animal sciences, general value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $34,678. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Dordt College placed #12 among the best values for animal sciences, general. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $21,812. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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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.