by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value animal science schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animal science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in animal science, no school beat College Of Southern Idaho this year. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $11,175. Early-career animal science graduates make about $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $18,870. Animal Science graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $25,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,870 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Western Idaho one of the best values for animal science. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
University Of Idaho came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $36,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.