[Animal Services](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal services education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal services students.
Finding the Best Value Animal Services School for You
Where you study animal services affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Animal Services Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Animal Services Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Black Hawk College tops our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools in the United States. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the animal services program here. Animal Services graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Early-career animal services graduates make about $42,820.
Alamance Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $13,366. Animal Services graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Junior College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. Located in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,440, with out-of-state students paying around $2,280. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $9,986. Animal Services graduates of New Mexico Junior College earn a median of $50,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,986 median debt.
North Shore Community College earned the #6 position for value in animal services this year. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $14,145 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $51,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,145 median debt.
Lamar Community College earned the #7 position for value in animal services this year. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Students borrow a median of $9,300 to complete the animal services program here. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National University College Bayamon earned the #8 position for value in animal services this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,723 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,583 to complete the animal services program here. Early-career animal services graduates make about $21,933. That is a strong return on a $14,583 median debt.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #9 among the best values for animal services. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central Wyoming College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. Located in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $11,100. Students borrow a median of $12,820 to complete the animal services program here. Early-career animal services graduates make about $65,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merryfield School Of Pet Grooming placed #11 among the best values for animal services. Located in the suburb of Oakland Park, Merryfield School Of Pet Grooming is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $6,333. Early-career animal services graduates make about $24,819.
College Of Central Florida placed #12 among the best values for animal services. College Of Central Florida is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Ocala. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,710, with out-of-state students paying around $10,517. Students borrow a median of $18,934 to complete the animal services program here. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from College Of Central Florida generally make around $48,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery Community College earned the #13 position for value in animal services this year. Montgomery Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,538, compared with $8,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career animal services graduates make about $38,983.
Hocking College earned the #14 position for value in animal services this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $16,535. Animal Services graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.
Ppg Technical College came in at #15 for value in animal services this year. Set in the city of Caguas, Ppg Technical College is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $3,500 in student loans. Early-career animal services graduates make about $6,481.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #16 for value in animal services this year. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico earned the #17 position for value in animal services this year. Located in the city of Aguadilla, Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico is a small private not-for-profit university. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico generally make around $15,052.
Emory And Henry College earned the #18 position for value in animal services this year. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the animal services program here. Animal Services graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Set against $26,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earned the #19 position for value in animal services this year. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cobleskill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,490 to complete the animal services program here. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill generally make around $31,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Unity College placed #21 among the best values for animal services. Unity College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the animal services program here. Animal Services graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
West Texas A And M University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $21,559. Early-career animal services graduates make about $31,362. Set against $21,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Centenary College came in at #23 for value in animal services this year. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,732. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the animal services program here. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Centenary College generally make around $34,104. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $24,066 to complete the animal services program here. Animal Services graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $31,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,066 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Centro De Estudios Multidisciplinarios San Juan ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value animal services schools. Centro De Estudios Multidisciplinarios San Juan is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,900. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $5,260 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of Centro De Estudios Multidisciplinarios San Juan earn a median of $14,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,260 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Animal Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in animal services:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
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).
[Animal Services](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal services education at a price that pays off.
