by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Equine Studies covers Equestrian/equine Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Horse, Horsemanship, And Related Subjects And Prepares Individuals To Care For Horses And Horse Equipment; Ride And Drive Horses For Leisure, Sport, Show, And Professional Purposes; And Manage The Training Of Horses And Riders. Includes Instruction In Horse Breeding, Nutrition, Health, And Safety; History Of The Horse And Horsemanship; Horse Development And Training; Riding And Equestrian Technique; Stable, Paddock, And Track Management; And Equipment Maintenance And Repair. Read on to learn the key facts every equine studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering equine studies programs.
Across the country, equine studies is a popular field of study, with 658 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Equine Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 46 schools to determine the best overall colleges for equine studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of equine studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Equine Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations equine studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a equine studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a equine studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several equine studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 27 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 143 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 339 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 149 |
People currently working in careers related to equine studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 33.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 17.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 16.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 8.8% |
| Master’s degree | 8.6% |
| Some college courses | 6.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in equine studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying equine studies can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to equine studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to equine studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Animal Trainers | 205,161 | 12.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of equine studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,658 |
| 4 years | $29,442 |
| 5 years | $34,298 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for equine studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers equine studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Animal Trainers | $32,987 |
With 46 different equine studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased equine studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in equine studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming | 519 |
| Animal Training | 172 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other | 65 |
| Taxidermy/Taxidermist | 10 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
