Animal Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 162 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for animal science students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Animal Science School
Where you study animal science matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Animal Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Animal Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Animal Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in animal science. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 166 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $35,318 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the animal science program at Purdue University Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in animal science, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 84 animal science degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full animal science program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Iowa State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animal science, ranking #3. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 245 animal science degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $39,567 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full animal science program report for Iowa State University
A rank of #4 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for animal science. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 207 animal science degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $33,879 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in animal science from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in animal science, ranking #5. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 366 animal science students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $57,477 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,906.
See the full animal science program report for Texas A And M University College Station
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for animal science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 108 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $40,311 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $17,585 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from California State University Fresno
Cornell University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 87 animal science degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $36,204 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $14,100 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for Cornell University
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute came in at #8 for animal science this year. Set in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public institution. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute awarded about 29 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earn around $39,743 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Get the full animal science details for Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
University Of California Davis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 325 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625.
See the full animal science program report for University Of California Davis
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #10 for animal science this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 53 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $44,354 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Get the full animal science details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #11 among the best animal science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 89 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $34,073 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Florida placed #12 among the best animal science schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 162 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of Florida earn around $31,294 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,475 to complete this degree.
See the full animal science program report for University Of Florida
Auburn University earned the #13 position for animal science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 117 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $34,980. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete this degree.
See the full animal science program report for Auburn University
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #14 position for animal science this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 159 animal science degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $37,349. Students borrow a median of $15,550 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in animal science from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #15 position for animal science this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 117 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $34,678 in their early career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full animal science program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #16 for animal science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 166 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $42,723. Students borrow a median of $19,850 to complete this degree.
See the full animal science program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Connecticut placed #17 among the best animal science schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. About 102 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $37,712. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $17,758 in student loans.
Read more about the animal science program at University Of Connecticut
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #18 position for animal science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 253 animal science students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $33,332 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,689.
More information about a degree in animal science from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 63 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $40,209 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Maryland College Park
California State University Chico ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 79 animal science degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Students who receive their animal science degree from California State University Chico earn around $33,387 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $17,334 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from California State University Chico
Michigan State University placed #21 among the best animal science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 159 animal science degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $41,292 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Get the full animal science details for Michigan State University
South Dakota State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 animal science students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from South Dakota State University earn around $44,844 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,162.
Read more about the animal science program at South Dakota State University
University Of Georgia earned the #23 position for animal science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of Georgia earn around $31,769 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Georgia
Mississippi State University came in at #24 for animal science this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Mississippi State University awarded about 102 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from Mississippi State University earn around $41,464 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,938 to complete this degree.
Read more about the animal science program at Mississippi State University
Texas Tech University earned the #25 position for animal science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 289 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $34,933 in their early career. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $21,369 in student loans.
More information about a degree in animal science from Texas Tech University
Rest of the Top 50 Animal Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong animal science education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 162 schools evaluated.
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).
