2027 Best Animal Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Animal Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best animal science schools.
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Best Schools for Animal Science in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Iowa State University, our #1 school for animal science. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full animal science details for Iowa State University
Students looking for a strong animal science program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 100 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $34,073. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the animal science program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
South Dakota State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animal science, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 97 animal science students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from South Dakota State University earn around $44,844 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,162.
Get the full animal science details for South Dakota State University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for animal science. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 137 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $34,678. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Missouri Columbia
Kansas State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 268 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $38,868 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,757 to complete this degree.
Get the full animal science details for Kansas State University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #6 for animal science this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $39,064 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,981.
Get the full animal science details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Northeast Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best animal science schools. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 12 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $35,931 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete this degree.
Read more about the animal science program at Northeast Community College
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best animal science schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 animal science students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $39,290 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full animal science details for North Dakota State University Main Campus
Dordt College landed the #9 spot for animal science this year. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dordt College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Dordt College in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Dordt College graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for Dordt College
Northwest Missouri State University placed #10 among the best animal science schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. About 54% of students finish within six years. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 19 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $34,876 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Get the full animal science details for Northwest Missouri State University
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #11 for animal science this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Crookston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of Minnesota Crookston earn around $35,072 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full animal science program report for University Of Minnesota Crookston
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #12 position for animal science this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 29 animal science degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $33,675 in their early career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $19,687 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for Missouri State University Springfield
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 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.