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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the early-career earnings of their animal science graduates.
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Below are the schools whose animal science graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in animal science, no school beat California State University Fresno this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of about $58,619 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the highest-paying schools for animal science. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,117.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #3 spot this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,089.
California State University Chico came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of about $56,684 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in animal science will find them at Oregon State University, which ranked #5. Oregon State University is a public school located in the city of Corvallis. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,287.
University Of California Davis came in at #6 for animal science graduate earnings this year. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. Early-career animal science graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $54,122 per year.
Washington State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Washington State University is a public school located in the town of Pullman. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,320.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #8 for animal science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from University Of Hawaii At Manoa make a median of around $31,285 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their animal science graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 8 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.
