2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the Southwest Region
[Animal Sciences, General](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/general-animal-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal sciences, general students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animal sciences, general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Animal Sciences, General Schools
For return on investment in animal sciences, general, no school beat New Mexico State University Main Campus this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $18,489. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $28,475. Set against $18,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal sciences, general, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, compared with $8,675 for out-of-state students. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Animal Sciences, General graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $53,151 early in their careers. Set against $24,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in animal sciences, general will find it at Texas A And M University Kingsville, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $20,036. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Animal Sciences, General graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $27,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes Angelo State University one of the best values for animal sciences, general. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $19,183 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Animal Sciences, General graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $28,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #6 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $18,195. Animal Sciences, General graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $35,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,195 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University came in at #7 for value in animal sciences, general this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $21,745. Animal Sciences, General graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $34,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,745 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in animal sciences, general this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Animal Sciences, General graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #9 spot for animal sciences, general value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $21,662. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,358. That is a strong return on a $21,662 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University earned the #10 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,369 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $34,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Tarleton State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $21,638. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $30,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Texas A And M University placed #12 among the best values for animal sciences, general. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $43,515. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #13 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $18,906 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $57,477. Set against $18,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
