by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Animal Health explores Animal Health. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological And Chemical Principles To The Study, Prevention, And Control Of Diseases In Agricultural Animal Populations. Includes Instruction In Environmental Science, Pharmacology, Animal Population Studies, Genetics, Animal Physiology And Diet, Disease Prevention, Treatment Methodologies, And Laboratory And Testing Procedures. Read on to learn the essential details every animal health student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering animal health programs.
In the U.S., animal health draws strong interest, with 137 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Animal Health Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for animal health students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of animal health programs later in this article.
Studies in Animal Health build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations animal health graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a animal health program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a animal health major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several animal health 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 16 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 73 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 48 |
People currently working in careers related to animal health tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 52.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 24.0% |
| Master’s degree | 15.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in animal health careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in animal health opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to animal health.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to animal health.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of animal health graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 health graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers animal health 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 |
With 8 different animal health programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased animal health school rankings to help you.
Those considering animal health, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal Sciences, General | 7,535 |
| Animal Sciences, Other | 249 |
| Poultry Science | 161 |
| Dairy Science | 154 |
| Livestock Management | 41 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 13 |
| Animal Nutrition | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
