2027 Best Value Animal Science Master’s Degree Schools
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment 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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. 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. 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 Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for animal science. 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $20,500. 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.
Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,769. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #4 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $55,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
West Virginia University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $31,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #6 among the best values for animal science. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $22,689 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $33,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in animal science this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $36,235. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #9 spot for animal science value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $20,981 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $39,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Iowa State University landed the #10 spot for animal science value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,567. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arkansas came in at #11 for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $32,417. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas Tech University earned the #12 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $21,369 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,933. That is a strong return on a $21,369 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $26,515. That is a strong return on a $21,693 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Kansas State University placed #14 among the best values for animal science. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,757 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $38,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $43,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #16 position for value in animal science this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $44,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #17 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $18,906 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $61,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #18 among the best values for animal science. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $22,045 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $36,111. That is a strong return on a $22,045 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,638 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $30,695 early in their careers. Set against $21,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Auburn University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $34,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $22,631 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $28,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,631 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Cornell University earned the #22 position for value in animal science this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $36,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Tuskegee University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the town of Tuskegee, Tuskegee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,386 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $27,000. Early-career animal science graduates make about $24,211. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tuskegee University admits about 49% of applicants.
Other Animal Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value animal science schools at other degree levels:
View All Animal Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
