2027 Best Value Animal Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 84 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal science students.
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2027 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animal Science Schools
California State University Fresno tops our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $17,585 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $40,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,475 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $31,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Murray State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,420. Animal Science graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for animal science. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $18,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #5 place for animal science. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $15,550. Early-career animal science graduates make about $37,349. Set against $15,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Morehead State University placed #6 among the best values for animal science. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $41,046. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University earned the #7 position for value in animal science this year. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. 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 #8 for value in animal science this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $18,489. Early-career animal science graduates make about $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 landed the #9 spot for animal science value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $35,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #11 among the best values for animal science. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $28,043 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $35,686 early in their careers. Set against $28,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. 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. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $35,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #15 for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $19,850. Animal Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $30,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California State University Chico landed the #16 spot for animal science value this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $17,334. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $33,387. That is a strong return on a $17,334 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #17 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,183. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $37,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #18 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $27,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in animal science this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #20 for value in animal science this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $20,036 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Valley State University placed #21 among the best values for animal science. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $35,963 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $32,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,963 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Wyoming placed #22 among the best values for animal science. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $34,875 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #23 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,936 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $30,706. That is a strong return on a $21,936 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #25 for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $18,415 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $33,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,415 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Animal Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in animal science:
Other Animal Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Animal Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Animal Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.
