by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Dairy Science explores Dairy Science. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological And Chemical Principles To The Production And Management Of Dairy Animals And The Production And Handling Of Dairy Products. Includes Instruction In Animal Sciences, Nutrition Sciences, Food Science And Technology, Biochemistry, And Related Aspects Of Human And Animal Health And Safety. Read on to learn the key facts every dairy science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dairy science programs.
Across the country, dairy science is a popular field of study, with 154 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dairy Science Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dairy science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dairy science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Dairy Science emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dairy science graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a dairy science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a dairy science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dairy 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 | 6 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 18 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 102 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to dairy science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dairy science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying dairy science prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to dairy science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dairy 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 dairy science 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 dairy science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dairy 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 14 different dairy science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dairy science school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in dairy science, 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 |
| Animal Health | 137 |
| Livestock Management | 41 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 13 |
| Animal Nutrition | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
