by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 36 degrees and certificates in Livestock Management. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Livestock Management 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 degree in Livestock Management explores Livestock Management. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological And Chemical Principles To The Production And Management Of Livestock Animals And The Production And Handling Of Meat And Other Products. Includes Instruction In Animal Sciences, Range Science, Nutrition Sciences, Food Science And Technology, Biochemistry, And Related Aspects Of Human And Animal Health And Safety. Examples: [Meat Science].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, livestock management draws strong interest, with 36 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award livestock management degrees, an average of 4 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 19.
By level, the 36 awards include 5 certificates, 4 associate degrees and 27 master’s degrees.
Women earned 75% of livestock management degrees and certificates in the latest year (27 of 36). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (33) and Hispanic or Latino (2).
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Livestock Management Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees. In all, 8 colleges offer livestock management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Livestock Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common livestock management credential is the master’s degree: 27 of the 36 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to livestock management 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 Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a livestock management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 27 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to livestock management, at 57.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 57.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Livestock Management, with an average median salary of $61,084; the strongest outlook belongs to Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Extension Officer, Farm Agent and Home Agent.
The occupation related to livestock management 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% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
Livestock Management 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 same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to livestock management, with a median salary of $84,680.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
Livestock Management has 7 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 8,741 degrees a year; the largest are Animal Sciences, General (7,927), Animal Sciences, Other (277) and Animal Health (230). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal Sciences, General | 7,927 |
| Animal Sciences, Other | 277 |
| Animal Health | 230 |
| Poultry Science | 140 |
| Dairy Science | 125 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 31 |
| Animal Nutrition | 11 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
