2026 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal science students.
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2026 Best Value Animal Science Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Animal Science Schools
For return on investment in animal science, no school beat New Mexico State University Main Campus this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $18,489. Animal Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $28,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,092, compared with $8,675 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $53,151. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $20,036. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #4 place for animal science. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,000. Animal Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $27,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Angelo State University one of the best values for animal science. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $19,183 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $28,820 early in their careers. Set against $19,183 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #6 for value in animal science this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $18,195 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $35,996. Set against $18,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University landed the #7 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,745. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,051. That is a strong return on a $21,745 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the animal science program here. Animal Science graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,235 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $21,662 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University came in at #10 for value in animal science this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $21,369. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $34,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University landed the #11 spot for animal science value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,638 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $30,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Texas A And M University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $43,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #13 among the best values for animal science. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $18,906 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $57,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
