by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Animal Nutrition involves the study of Animal Nutrition. A Program That Focuses On The Biology And Chemistry Of Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates, Water, Vitamins, And Feed Additives As Related To Animal Health And The Production Of Improved Animal Products. Includes Instruction In Nutrition Science, Animal Health And Physiology, Biochemistry, Cellular And Molecular Biology, Animal Husbandry, And Food Science. Read on to learn the important information every animal nutrition major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering animal nutrition programs.
In the U.S., animal nutrition is a popular field of study, with 5 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Animal Nutrition Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for animal nutrition students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of animal nutrition programs later in this article.
Programs in Animal Nutrition develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations animal nutrition graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a animal nutrition program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a animal nutrition major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several animal nutrition 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to animal nutrition tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 57.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in animal nutrition careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in animal nutrition prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to animal nutrition.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to animal nutrition.
| 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% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of animal nutrition 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 nutrition graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers animal nutrition 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 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 1 different animal nutrition programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased animal nutrition school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in animal nutrition, 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 |
| Animal Health | 137 |
| Livestock Management | 41 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 13 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
