by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you see yourself breeding, training, or raising animals, then a degree in Animal Science is for you.
Animal Science majors working with animals and envision a program to learn more about the creatures and how to properly work with them. Classes in Animal Science include animal biology and physiology, biochemistry, biology, and life sciences to learn the principles surrounding animal husbandry, livestock operations, and the business of agriculture.
Although schools offer the option to major in general Animal Science, there is also the option to specialize in areas such as Agricultural Animal Breeding, Animal Health, Animal Nutrition, Dairy Science, Livestock Management and Poultry Science.
A degree in Animal Science covers Animal Sciences. Read on to learn the important information every animal science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering animal science programs.
In the U.S., animal science draws strong interest, with 8,295 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Animal Science Schools ranking analyzes these 140 schools to determine the best overall colleges for animal science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of animal science programs later in this article.
Programs in Animal Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations animal science graduates commonly enter.
Working with animals takes patience, compassion, and an interest in their well-being. The job requires strong problem solving skills and close attention to detail to assess any issues that come up during animal training, and to ensure animals are maintaining a proper diet and show no abnormal changes in behavior. Animal Scientists work closely with farmers and animal owners, so it is necessary to possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to ensure information about animals is properly and clearly shared with all necessary individuals.
Depending on the type of job pursued, the typical workweek of an Animal Science major varies. Animals require care around the clock, so hours may be irregular and require work at nights and on the weekends. Depending on where you work however, you may have a more typical office job that sticks to a 40-hour a week schedule.
When pursuing a career in Animal Science, experience working with animals is important. Try interning or working with an animal scientist, trainer or even a veterinarian to gain experience. Volunteering at a local animal shelter will also give you the opportunity to work with domestic animals. Employers look for and prefer previous experience working with animals while hiring job prospects.
The skill set built by a animal science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a animal science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several animal science degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 50 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 271 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,135 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 607 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 213 |
People currently working in careers related to animal science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 51.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in animal science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are many career options available to Animal Science majors. Many people immediately think of a career on a ranch or farm, but a degree in this field opens up opportunities in scientific research, management, or even sales. Animal Science majors also hold jobs as breeders, trainers, and animal nutritionists.
A degree in Animal Science makes you very appealing to employers.
Majoring in animal science opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to animal science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to animal science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | 167,331 | 6.9% |
| Agricultural Technicians | 142,810 | 8.4% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of animal science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,873 |
| 4 years | $43,315 |
| 5 years | $54,045 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for animal science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers animal science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | $93,823 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | $56,932 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Agricultural Technicians | $44,022 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 140 different animal science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased animal science school rankings to help you.
Those considering animal science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal Sciences, General | 7,535 |
| Animal Sciences, Other | 249 |
| Poultry Science | 161 |
| Dairy Science | 154 |
| Animal Health | 137 |
| Livestock Management | 41 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 13 |
| Animal Nutrition | 5 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 9,051 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 8,612 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | 4,164 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 3,756 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 3,608 |
| Agriculture, General | 3,276 |
| Plant Sciences | 3,261 |
| Food Science and Technology | 2,269 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | 1,424 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 1,378 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
