by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 9 U.S. colleges awarded 140 degrees and certificates in Poultry Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 61% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Poultry Science 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.
Studying Poultry Science involves the study of Poultry Science. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological And Chemical Principles To The Production And Management Of Poultry Animals And The Production And Handling Of Poultry Products. Includes Instruction In Avian Sciences, Nutrition Sciences, Food Science And Technology, Biochemistry, Hatchery Design, And Related Aspects Of Human And Animal Health And Safety.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., poultry science is a widely-pursued major, with 140 degrees awarded annually. 9 colleges award poultry science degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 48.
By level, the 140 awards include 2 certificates, 1 associate degrees, 85 bachelor’s degrees, 39 master’s degrees and 13 doctorates.
Women earned 56% of poultry science degrees and certificates in the latest year (79 of 140). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (100) and Hispanic or Latino (12), and international students earned 14.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Poultry Science Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees and 3 for master’s degrees. It also ranks poultry science schools within 6 states. In all, 9 colleges offer poultry science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Poultry Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common poultry science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 85 of the 140 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to poultry science 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a poultry science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 85 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 39 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 13 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to poultry science, 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 Poultry Science, 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 Management Advisor and 4-H Youth Development Specialist.
The occupation related to poultry science 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% |
Poultry Science 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 poultry science 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 |
Poultry Science has 7 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 8,637 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 |
| Dairy Science | 125 |
| Livestock Management | 36 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 31 |
| Animal Nutrition | 11 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
