Dairy Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for dairy science students.
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Choosing a Great Dairy Science School
The school you choose for dairy science can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Dairy Science rankings. For our Best Overall Dairy Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Dairy Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Dairy Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the dairy science degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo this year for dairy science. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 dairy science students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dairy science degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $33,879 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in dairy science from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dairy science, ranking #2. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 20 dairy science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dairy science degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $44,354 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dairy science from University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #3 makes South Dakota State University one of the top schools for dairy science. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 18 dairy science students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dairy science program make about $44,844 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete this degree.
See the full dairy science program report for South Dakota State University
Students looking for a strong dairy science program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 13 dairy science degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dairy science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $28,729. Students borrow a median of $22,631 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dairy science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the top schools for dairy science. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 15 dairy science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Dairy Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $37,852 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates carry a median of $23,183 in student loans.
See the full dairy science program report for University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Northcentral Technical College landed the #6 spot for dairy science this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Northcentral Technical College awarded about 18 dairy science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dairy science program make about $41,696 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,709.
More information about a degree in dairy science from Northcentral Technical College
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
