by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal sciences, general students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animal sciences, general degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #1 spot for value among animal sciences, general schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Animal Sciences, General graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Crookston one of the best values for animal sciences, general. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Animal Sciences, General graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $35,072 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in animal sciences, general will find it at Northwest Missouri State University, which ranked #3. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $34,876. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in animal sciences, general will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $23,625. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $39,290. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in animal sciences, general will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $34,073. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #6 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $20,981 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $39,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kansas State University earned the #7 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $22,757. Early-career animal sciences, general graduates make about $38,868. Set against $22,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #8 among the best values for animal sciences, general. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $19,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,675. That is a strong return on a $19,687 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #9 position for value in animal sciences, general this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Animal Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $39,567. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value animal sciences, general schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $23,162. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $44,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #11 for value in animal sciences, general this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $34,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
