by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a animal science degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find where animal science graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose animal science graduates go on to earn the most.
Mississippi State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools in the United States. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of about $71,455 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in animal science will find them at South Dakota State University, which ranked #2. South Dakota State University is a public school located in the town of Brookings. Animal Science graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of about $56,528 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Madison produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from University Of Wisconsin Madison make a median of around $57,024 per year.
Michigan State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,436.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from University Of Massachusetts Amherst make a median of around $59,844 per year.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of West Lafayette. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus typically earn about $66,813 annually.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. California State University Fresno is a public school located in the city of Fresno. Animal Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of about $58,619 a year early in their careers.
Auburn University earned the #8 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Auburn University make a median of around $66,404 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #9 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,278.
University Of Connecticut placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from University Of Connecticut typically earn about $60,947 annually.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,654.
Iowa State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from Iowa State University typically earn about $55,971 annually.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Fargo. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,921.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Texas A And M University College Station make a median of around $61,442 per year.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #15 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln typically earn about $54,812 annually.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $62,117 a year early in their careers.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. Animal Science graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of about $45,047 a year early in their careers.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #18 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona make a median of around $56,089 per year.
Utah State University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of Utah State University earn a median of about $64,644 a year early in their careers.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #20 for animal science graduate earnings this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Animal Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $59,386 a year early in their careers.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #21 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $56,056 a year early in their careers.
Kansas State University came in at #22 for animal science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Kansas State University make a median of around $51,573 per year.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for animal science salaries this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus typically earn about $55,473 annually.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #24 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school located in the city of Columbia. Animal Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $57,523 a year early in their careers.
University Of Georgia earned the #25 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from University Of Georgia typically earn about $61,453 annually.
These schools also send animal science graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying animal science schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries animal science graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 77 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
