by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong animal science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value animal science schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the animal science degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of The Ozarks tops our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early-career animal science graduates make about $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $35,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Northwest Missouri State University one of the best values for animal science. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,876. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $39,290. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in animal science will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $34,073 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #6 among the best values for animal science. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $20,981. Early-career animal science graduates make about $39,064. That is a strong return on a $20,981 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $22,757. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $38,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #8 among the best values for animal science. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,687 to complete the animal science program here. Early-career animal science graduates make about $33,675. That is a strong return on a $19,687 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #9 for value in animal science this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Animal Science graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $39,567 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $23,162. Animal Science graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $44,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #11 spot for animal science value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Animal Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,678. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
