2027 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value animal science schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Our analysis ranked Northeast Community College the best value for a degree in animal science in the The Plains States Region. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $35,931. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Crookston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,500. Animal Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $35,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for animal science. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,625. Early-career animal science graduates make about $39,290. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value animal science schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $34,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Missouri State University earned it the #5 place for animal science. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #6 for value in animal science this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. 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. Animal Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $39,064 early in their careers. Set against $20,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #7 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $19,687. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #8 among the best values for animal science. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $39,567. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #9 for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $22,757 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $38,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,757 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University came in at #10 for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,162. Animal Science graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $44,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #11 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $34,678. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Dordt College came in at #12 for value in animal science this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,812. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Narrow Animal Science Schools by State
More Animal Science Rankings
View All Animal Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
