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 schools below stand out for the salaries their animal science graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 12 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 South Dakota State University this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of about $56,528 a year early in their careers.
Iowa State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #2 spot this year. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. Early-career animal science graduates from Iowa State University make a median of around $55,971 per year.
North Dakota State University Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, animal science degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus typically earn about $55,921 annually.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $54,812 a year early in their careers.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities produces some of the highest-paid graduates in animal science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $59,386 a year early in their careers.
Kansas State University earned the #6 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of about $51,573 a year early in their careers.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Animal Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $57,523 a year early in their careers.
University Of Minnesota Crookston earned the #8 position for animal science graduate earnings this year. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public school located in the town of Crookston. Early-career animal science graduates from University Of Minnesota Crookston make a median of around $51,363 per year.
Northeast Community College landed the #9 spot for animal science salaries this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a public institution. Early-career animal science graduates from Northeast Community College make a median of around $43,123 per year.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #10 spot for animal science salaries this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school located in the city of Springfield. Students who complete the animal science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,514.
College Of The Ozarks placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for animal science. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career animal science graduates from College Of The Ozarks make a median of around $39,573 per year.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #12 spot for animal science salaries this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school located in the town of Maryville. Animal Science graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of about $34,876 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 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.
