by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their animal science graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying animal science schools.
What’s on this page:
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. California State University Fresno is a public school located in the city of Fresno. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,619.
Students chasing top earnings in animal science will find them at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo make a median of around $62,117 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #3 place for animal science. 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.
California State University Chico came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. Early-career animal science graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $56,684 per year.
University Of California Davis produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. Animal Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $54,122 a year early in their careers.
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 · 5 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.
