[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 162 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal science students.
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Finding the Best Value Animal Science School for You
The animal science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Animal Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Animal Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
California State University Fresno tops our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $17,585 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $40,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for animal science. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $16,475. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $31,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at Ulster County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $13,354. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $47,424. That is a strong return on a $13,354 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for animal science. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $18,870. Early-career animal science graduates make about $25,661. Set against $18,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $12,497. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $18,489. Early-career animal science graduates make about $28,475. Set against $18,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Casper College earned the #7 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.
Murray State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University came in at #9 for value in animal science 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 Science graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $53,151. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #10 position for value in animal science this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $15,550 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $37,349. That is a strong return on a $15,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
College Of The Ozarks placed #11 among the best values for animal science. 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. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Crookston earned the #12 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $35,072. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #13 spot for animal science value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $35,318. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #15 for value in animal science this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $25,000. Early-career animal science graduates make about $20,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #16 for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $27,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
West Virginia University placed #17 among the best values for animal science. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $20,500. Animal Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $31,103 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #18 position for value in animal science this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $28,043. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $35,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming landed the #19 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah State University landed the #20 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $17,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $30,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Georgia placed #21 among the best values for animal science. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,769. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Northeastern Junior College earned the #22 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,730, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,156 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Northeastern Junior College earn a median of $38,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,156 median debt.
Angelo State University placed #23 among the best values for animal science. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $19,183 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $28,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #24 among the best values for animal science. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $18,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $33,788. That is a strong return on a $18,415 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #25 for value in animal science this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,183 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $37,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Animal Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in animal science:
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 · 162 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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).
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal science education at a price that pays off.
