2026 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animal science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Animal Science Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wyoming one of the best values for animal science. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $34,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $22,250. 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. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $31,103. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place 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. 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. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for animal science value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $22,689. Early-career animal science graduates make about $33,332. That is a strong return on a $22,689 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $20,981 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $39,064. That is a strong return on a $20,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #9 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $32,417. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University earned the #10 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $44,844. That is a strong return on a $23,162 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #11 for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,693. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $26,515. Set against $21,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #12 among the best values for animal science. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,369. Animal Science graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $34,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,369 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #13 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,045 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $36,111. That is a strong return on a $22,045 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tarleton State University placed #14 among the best values for animal science. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $21,638 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $30,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,638 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University landed the #15 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 for value in animal science this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,906 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $61,394. Set against $18,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #17 for value in animal science this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $22,631 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $28,729. Set against $22,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University came in at #18 for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Cornell University came in at #19 for value in animal science this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $36,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,100 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Tuskegee University placed #20 among the best values for animal science. Located in the town of Tuskegee, Tuskegee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,386. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Tuskegee University generally make around $24,211. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Other Animal Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Animal Science rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 162 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal science education at a price that pays off.
