2027 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for animal science students.
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2027 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animal Science Schools
Leading the list is Northcentral Technical College, our #1 best value for animal science in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $23,183 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $37,852. That is a strong return on a $23,183 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #3 spot 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, 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. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for animal science. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $19,850. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #5 place for animal science. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,936 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $30,706. Set against $21,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #6 among the best values for animal science. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $20,875. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $44,956. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for animal science. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $17,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $36,693. That is a strong return on a $17,651 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $44,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earned the #9 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,584, compared with $36,362 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earn a median of $39,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Michigan State University earned the #10 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $41,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Stautzenberger College Maumee ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Maumee. Students from in state pay about $16,699 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,480 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Stautzenberger College Maumee earn a median of $20,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,480 median debt.
The University Of Findlay placed #12 among the best values for animal science. The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Findlay. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $34,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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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 · 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.
