2027 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal science students.
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2027 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animal Science Schools
University Of Maryland College Park tops our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,500. Early-career animal science graduates make about $40,209. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ulster County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $13,354 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $47,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,572 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $40,317. Set against $24,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earned it the #4 place for animal science. Located in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $24,000. Early-career animal science graduates make about $37,068. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $25,169 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $33,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,169 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Harcum College came in at #6 for value in animal science this year. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Students from in state pay about $32,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $27,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware Valley College placed #7 among the best values for animal science. Located in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $38,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cornell University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $14,100. Animal Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $36,204 early in their careers. Set against $14,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $33,182. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.