2026 Best Animal Science Schools in the Far Western Region
Animal Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for animal science students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Animal Science in the Far Western Region
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.
Top Schools in Animal Science
No school ranked higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo this year for animal science. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 207 animal science students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the animal science program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California State University Fresno is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 108 animal science students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $40,311 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,585 to complete this degree.
Get the full animal science details for California State University Fresno
University Of California Davis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 325 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of California Davis earn around $32,309 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of California Davis
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 159 animal science degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $37,349 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $15,550 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California State University Chico came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 79 animal science students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico 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. Typical student debt for the program is $17,334.
Get the full animal science details for California State University Chico
Washington State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $31,911 early in their careers. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $19,545 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from Washington State University
Oregon State University came in at #7 for animal science this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oregon State University awarded about 59 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $32,893 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,362.
Read more about the animal science program at Oregon State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 24 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $31,285. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125.
Read more about the animal science program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
