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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Animal Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

11 Colleges in the United States
1,011 Animal Science Degrees Awarded
$37,450 Avg Early-Career Salary

Animal Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their animal science programs.

College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best animal science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Animal Science in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall animal science education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Animal Science

1

Our analysis ranked Iowa State University the best school in the country for a degree in animal science. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the animal science program at Iowa State University

2

Students looking for a strong animal science program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 89 animal science degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for animal science. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 117 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, animal science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $34,678. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full animal science details for University Of Missouri Columbia

4

Students looking for a strong animal science program will find one at South Dakota State University, which ranked #4. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Dakota State University awarded about 114 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Animal Science graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $44,844 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,162. More information about a degree in animal science from South Dakota State University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the top schools for animal science. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 107 animal science degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Students who receive their animal science degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $39,064 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,981 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animal science from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

6

Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for animal science this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 214 animal science degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Animal Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $38,868 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,757 to complete this degree. Read more about the animal science program at Kansas State University

7

North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 animal science students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $39,290 in the first couple years of their career. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. See the full animal science program report for North Dakota State University Main Campus

8

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 22 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $34,876 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the animal science program at Northwest Missouri State University

9

University Of Minnesota Crookston earned the #9 position for animal science this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 animal science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Crookston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the animal science program make about $35,072 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full animal science details for University Of Minnesota Crookston

10

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best animal science schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 35 animal science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their animal science degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $33,675 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,687 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in animal science from Missouri State University Springfield

11
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks landed the #11 spot for animal science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Point Lookout. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 12 animal science degrees were awarded at College Of The Ozarks in the most recent year. Students who receive their animal science degree from College Of The Ozarks earn around $37,944 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the animal science program at College Of The Ozarks

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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