by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Livestock Management explores Livestock Management. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological And Chemical Principles To The Production And Management Of Livestock Animals And The Production And Handling Of Meat And Other Products. Includes Instruction In Animal Sciences, Range Science, Nutrition Sciences, Food Science And Technology, Biochemistry, And Related Aspects Of Human And Animal Health And Safety. Examples: [Meat Science]. Continue reading for the important information every livestock management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering livestock management programs.
Nationwide, livestock management draws strong interest, with 41 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Livestock Management Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for livestock management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of livestock management programs later in this article.
Programs in Livestock Management emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations livestock management graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a livestock management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a livestock management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several livestock management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 9 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 8 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 22 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to livestock management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 57.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in livestock management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying livestock management prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to livestock management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to livestock management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of livestock management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,873 |
| 4 years | $43,315 |
| 5 years | $54,045 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for livestock management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers livestock management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 8 different livestock management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased livestock management school rankings to help you.
Students interested in livestock management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal Sciences, General | 7,535 |
| Animal Sciences, Other | 249 |
| Poultry Science | 161 |
| Dairy Science | 154 |
| Animal Health | 137 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 13 |
| Animal Nutrition | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
