2026 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for animal science in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $20,500. Animal Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $35,318 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

2

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

A rank of #2 makes Northcentral Technical College one of the best values for animal science. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.

3

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,183. Early-career animal science graduates make about $37,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at University Of Wisconsin Platteville, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $44,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $19,850 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $42,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,850 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $44,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

7

Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
Wooster, OH

Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earned the #7 position for value in animal science this year. Located in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,584, compared with $36,362 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $39,743. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #8 position for value in animal science this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,936. Early-career animal science graduates make about $30,706. That is a strong return on a $21,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

9

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $17,651 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,693 early in their careers. Set against $17,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

10

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #10 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $41,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

The University Of Findlay
Findlay, OH

The University Of Findlay landed the #11 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $26,000. Animal Science graduates of The University Of Findlay earn a median of $34,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.