by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Poultry Science involves the study of Poultry Science. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological And Chemical Principles To The Production And Management Of Poultry Animals And The Production And Handling Of Poultry Products. Includes Instruction In Avian Sciences, Nutrition Sciences, Food Science And Technology, Biochemistry, Hatchery Design, And Related Aspects Of Human And Animal Health And Safety. Read on to learn the key facts every poultry science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering poultry science programs.
In the U.S., poultry science is a widely-pursued major, with 161 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Poultry Science Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for poultry science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of poultry science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Poultry Science emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations poultry science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a poultry science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a poultry science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several poultry science 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 | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 110 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 26 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
People currently working in careers related to poultry science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in poultry science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in poultry science prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to poultry science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to poultry science.
| 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% |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | 167,331 | 6.9% |
| Agricultural Technicians | 142,810 | 8.4% |
| Animal Scientists | 77,353 | -1.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of poultry science 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 poultry science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers poultry science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Animal Scientists | $93,823 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | $56,932 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Agricultural Technicians | $44,022 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 8 different poultry science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased poultry science school rankings to help you.
Those considering poultry science, 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 |
| Dairy Science | 154 |
| Animal Health | 137 |
| Livestock Management | 41 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding | 13 |
| Animal Nutrition | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
