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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying animal science schools.
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If you want to know which schools send animal science graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in animal science, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Madison this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $57,024 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Michigan State University one of the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set 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.
Purdue University Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Purdue University Main Campus make a median of around $66,813 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of about $51,278 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute one of the highest-paying schools for animal science. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a public school located in the town of Wooster. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute typically earn about $51,110 annually.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #6 spot for animal science salaries this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $51,398 a year early in their careers.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a public institution. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,310.
The University Of Findlay landed the #8 spot for animal science salaries this year. Located in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career animal science graduates from The University Of Findlay make a median of around $49,278 per year.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus make a median of around $50,455 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #10 for animal science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,114.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $44,349 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 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.