Animal-Assisted Therapy 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 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for animal-assisted therapy students pursuing a degree.
The animal-assisted therapy program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Animal-Assisted Therapy Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Animal-Assisted Therapy 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.
Our analysis ranked Aurora University the best school in the country for a degree in animal-assisted therapy. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 animal-assisted therapy students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Animal-Assisted Therapy graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $41,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the animal-assisted therapy program at Aurora University
Students looking for a strong animal-assisted therapy program will find one at Isothermal Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 19 animal-assisted therapy students who graduated with this degree at Isothermal Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal-assisted therapy degree from Isothermal Community College earn around $47,389 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,625.
Get the full animal-assisted therapy details for Isothermal Community College
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best animal-assisted therapy schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 animal-assisted therapy students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Animal-Assisted Therapy graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $51,364 early in their careers. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal-assisted therapy from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Carroll College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best animal-assisted therapy schools. Located in the city of Helena, Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 animal-assisted therapy students who graduated with this degree at Carroll College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal-assisted therapy degree from Carroll College earn around $22,319 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
See the full animal-assisted therapy program report for Carroll College
This list is compiled 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 · 16 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).
