2026 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) 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 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value animal science schools.
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2026 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animal Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for animal science in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,475 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $31,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for animal science. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $28,043 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $35,686. Set against $28,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $31,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,769. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Santa Fe College came in at #6 for value in animal science this year. Located in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,563 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,189 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $19,890. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Santa Fe College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #7 for value in animal science this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,415 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $33,788. That is a strong return on a $18,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Fort Valley State University placed #8 among the best values for animal science. Set in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $35,963. Animal Science graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $32,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,963 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $31,444. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University placed #11 among the best values for animal science. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $26,626 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $21,958. That is a strong return on a $26,626 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #12 spot for animal science value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $20,938. Early-career animal science graduates make about $41,464. That is a strong return on a $20,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #13 among the best values for animal science. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $22,689 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $33,332. Set against $22,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Alabama A And M University earned the #14 position for value in animal science this year. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,634. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $31,896. Animal Science graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Set against $31,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky earned the #15 position for value in animal science this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $27,144. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas placed #16 among the best values for animal science. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,551. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $32,417. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #17 for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,693. Early-career animal science graduates make about $26,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,143. Animal Science graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $29,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Clemson University landed the #19 spot for animal science value this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $24,827 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $28,942. Set against $24,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #20 among the best values for animal science. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $22,631. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $28,729. That is a strong return on a $22,631 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University placed #21 among the best values for animal science. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $34,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Tuskegee University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the town of Tuskegee, Tuskegee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,386. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Tuskegee University earn a median of $24,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Tuskegee University admits about 49% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
