Animal Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 96 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for animal science students pursuing a degree.
The animal science program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Animal Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Animal Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Animal Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Animal Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the animal science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 school for animal science. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 205 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $35,318 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for Purdue University Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for animal science. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 104 animal science degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $36,204 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in animal science from Cornell University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animal science, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 158 animal science degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $33,879 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full animal science program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
A rank of #4 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for animal science. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 227 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $39,567 in their early career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for Iowa State University
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top schools for animal science. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 380 animal science degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Students who receive their animal science degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $57,477 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $18,906 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 336 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $32,309 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625.
Read more about the animal science program at University Of California Davis
California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 97 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from California State University Fresno earn around $40,311 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,585 to complete this degree.
See the full animal science program report for California State University Fresno
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute came in at #8 for animal science this year. Located in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public university. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute awarded about 43 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earn a median of $39,743 early in their careers. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the animal science program at Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for animal science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 65 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $44,354 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full animal science program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Auburn University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 138 animal science degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $34,980 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full animal science details for Auburn University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for animal science this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 100 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $34,073 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 234 animal science degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $33,332 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,689.
See the full animal science program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Florida came in at #13 for animal science this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 150 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of Florida earn around $31,294 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,475.
Read more about the animal science program at University Of Florida
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #14 spot for animal science this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 132 animal science degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $37,349. Students borrow a median of $15,550 to complete this degree.
Get the full animal science details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #15 spot for animal science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 66 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $40,209 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Maryland College Park
Michigan State University came in at #16 for animal science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Michigan State University awarded about 184 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $41,292 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from Michigan State University
Texas Tech University came in at #17 for animal science this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 326 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $34,933 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,369.
Read more about the animal science program at Texas Tech University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 264 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $36,235. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University Main Campus
California State University Chico ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 78 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from California State University Chico earn around $33,387 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,334 to complete this degree.
Read more about the animal science program at California State University Chico
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #20 among the best animal science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 237 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $42,723 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
South Dakota State University earned the #21 position for animal science this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 97 animal science degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $44,844. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $23,162 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from South Dakota State University
University Of Georgia landed the #22 spot for animal science this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 57 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $31,769 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
Get the full animal science details for University Of Georgia
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #23 among the best animal science schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 137 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $34,678 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Connecticut landed the #24 spot for animal science this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 102 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $37,712 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $17,758 in student loans.
Get the full animal science details for University Of Connecticut
West Texas A And M University earned the #25 position for animal science this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. About 93 animal science degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. West Texas A And M University graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from West Texas A And M University
Rest of the Top 50 Animal Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for animal science this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 96 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
