[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 96 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal science students.
Finding the Best Value Animal Science School for You
The right animal science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Animal Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Animal Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked California State University Fresno the best value for a degree in animal science in the United States. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,585 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $40,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $16,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $31,294. Set against $16,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Redlands Community College earned it the #3 place for animal science. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $14,682 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $11,175. Early-career animal science graduates make about $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ulster County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $13,354. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $47,424. Set against $13,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College earned the #7 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $35,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University landed the #8 spot for animal science value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #9 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #10 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $18,870 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $25,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,870 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Casper College earned the #11 position for value in animal science this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $12,598. Animal Science graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #12 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #13 among the best values for animal science. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $15,550 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $37,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,550 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Morehead State University landed the #14 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,896 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $41,046. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University placed #15 among the best values for animal science. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. Students from in state pay about $8,092 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,675 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $53,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in animal science this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $18,489 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $28,475. That is a strong return on a $18,489 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $43,891. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $35,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #19 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $28,043. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $35,686. Set against $28,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $31,769. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Crookston landed the #21 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $35,072. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California Davis landed the #22 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $13,625. Early-career animal science graduates make about $32,309. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #23 among the best values for animal science. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $42,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California State University Chico earned the #24 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $17,334. Early-career animal science graduates make about $33,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Santa Fe College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Santa Fe College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $2,563 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,189. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $19,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Santa Fe College generally make around $24,833. Set against $19,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Animal Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s animal science value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 96 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).
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
