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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Dairy Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

8 Colleges in the United States
$23,485 Avg Student Debt
$64,905 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Dairy Science Bachelor's Degree Badge [Dairy Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/dairy-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for dairy science students.

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2026 Best Value Dairy Science Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dairy science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Dairy Science Schools

1

University Of Wisconsin River Falls tops our 2026 list of the best value dairy science schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,183 to complete the dairy science program here. Dairy Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $37,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

2

A rank of #2 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the best values for dairy science. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dairy science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $33,879. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dairy science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the dairy science program here. Soon after graduation, dairy science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $44,956. Set against $20,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dairy science schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, dairy science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $44,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for dairy science. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dairy science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,567. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill came in at #6 for value in dairy science this year. Set in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, dairy science degree recipients from Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill generally make around $37,068. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

7

South Dakota State University came in at #7 for value in dairy science this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $23,162 in student loans. Dairy Science graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $44,844 early in their careers. Set against $23,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #8 among the best values for dairy science. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $26,000. Early-career dairy science graduates make about $41,292. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

9

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value dairy science schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dairy science graduates is $22,631. Dairy Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $28,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

10
Delaware Valley College crest
Delaware Valley College
Doylestown, PA

Delaware Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dairy science schools. Set in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,850 in tuition and fees. Dairy Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career dairy science graduates make about $38,378. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

Other Dairy Science Degree Levels

Explore the best-value dairy science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Dairy Science
Associate's Degrees in Dairy Science
Master's Degrees in Dairy Science
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View All Dairy Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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