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 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 13 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.
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University College Station the top school for animal science graduate earnings in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of about $61,442 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Oklahoma Panhandle State University one of the highest-paying schools for animal science. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. Early-career animal science graduates from Oklahoma Panhandle State University make a median of around $45,047 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Oklahoma State University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for animal science. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Oklahoma State University Main Campus make a median of around $55,473 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in animal science will find them at Texas Tech University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $54,222 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arizona produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of about $52,398 a year early in their careers.
Sam Houston State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Sam Houston State University is a public school located in the town of Huntsville. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,013.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of about $45,953 a year early in their careers.
Angelo State University came in at #8 for animal science graduate earnings this year. Angelo State University is a public school located in the city of San Angelo. Early-career animal science graduates from Angelo State University make a median of around $50,319 per year.
Tarleton State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying animal science schools. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Tarleton State University make a median of around $45,558 per year.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #10 spot for animal science salaries this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,759.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for animal science salaries this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Animal Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $41,175 a year early in their careers.
Sul Ross State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Sul Ross State University is a public school located in the town of Alpine. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,002.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #13 for animal science graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a public school located in the town of Commerce. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,101.
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 · 13 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.