by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value animal science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal science, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of The Ozarks tops our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools in Missouri. 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. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Missouri State University earned it the #2 place for animal science. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $34,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $19,687 to complete the animal science program here. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value animal science schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for animal science graduates is $19,500. Early-career animal science graduates make about $34,678. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.