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2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the Great Lakes Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$21,400 Avg Student Debt
$64,194 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Badge [Animal Sciences, General](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/general-animal-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal sciences, general students.

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2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal sciences, general, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in animal sciences, general in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $35,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned it the #2 place for animal sciences, general. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $23,183. Animal Sciences, General graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $37,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,183 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in animal sciences, general will find it at University Of Wisconsin Platteville, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general 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

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for animal sciences, general. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $42,723. That is a strong return on a $19,850 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for animal sciences, general. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $44,354. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

6

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $21,936. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $30,706. That is a strong return on a $21,936 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

7

Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute came in at #7 for value in animal sciences, general this year. Set in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,584, while out-of-state students pay about $36,362. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $39,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $17,651 in student loans. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $36,693. That is a strong return on a $17,651 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

9
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #9 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $41,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

10

The University Of Findlay landed the #10 spot for animal sciences, general value this year. Located in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,164. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $34,595. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Findlay admits about 83% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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