by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Sciences, General](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/general-animal-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value animal sciences, general schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal sciences, general, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of The Ozarks, our #1 best value for animal sciences, general in Missouri. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, animal sciences, general degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal sciences, general, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $23,000. Animal Sciences, General graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $34,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #3 place for animal sciences, general. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $19,687 to complete the animal sciences, general program here. 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. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal sciences, general, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for animal sciences, general graduates is $19,500. Animal Sciences, General graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $34,678 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.