2026 Best Animal Science Schools in California
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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best animal science schools.
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Best Schools for Animal Science in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall animal science education in California.
Top Schools in Animal Science
Leading the list is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, our #1 school for animal science. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. 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. Students who receive their animal science degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $33,879 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from 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. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 108 animal science degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $40,311. Students borrow a median of $17,585 to complete this degree.
Read more about the animal science program at California State University Fresno
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for animal science. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 325 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $32,309 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of California Davis
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animal science, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 159 animal science students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $37,349 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $15,550 in student loans.
Get the full animal science details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California State University Chico is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 79 animal science degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent 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. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $17,334 in student loans.
Read more about the animal science program at California State University Chico
More Animal Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 5 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.
