[Animal Services](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-services/) 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 82 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value animal services schools.
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Finding the Best Value Animal Services School for You
The animal services program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Animal Services Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Animal Services Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Bluegrass Community And Technical College, our #1 best value for animal services in the United States. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the animal services program here. Animal Services graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,366 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black Hawk College earned it the #2 place for animal services. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
Montgomery Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value animal services schools. Set in the rural area of Troy, Montgomery Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,538, compared with $8,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Montgomery Community College generally make around $38,983.
Sheridan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Students borrow a median of $13,910 to complete the animal services program here. Early-career animal services graduates make about $49,039. That is a strong return on a $13,910 median debt.
Texas A And M University Commerce is a great value for students pursuing a degree in animal services, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $23,796. Early-career animal services graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Lamar Community College came in at #6 for value in animal services this year. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,550, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $9,300. Early-career animal services graduates make about $25,669. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for animal services value this year. Located in the city of Ocala, College Of Central Florida is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,934 to complete the animal services program here. Animal Services graduates of College Of Central Florida earn a median of $48,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hocking College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value animal services schools. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Early-career animal services graduates make about $37,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merryfield School Of Pet Grooming placed #9 among the best values for animal services. Set in the suburb of Oakland Park, Merryfield School Of Pet Grooming is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,333 to complete the animal services program here. Early-career animal services graduates make about $24,819.
The University Of Montana Western earned the #10 position for value in animal services this year. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Alamance Community College placed #11 among the best values for animal services. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico landed the #12 spot for animal services value this year. Set in the city of Aguadilla, Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico is a small private not-for-profit institution. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Universal Technology College Of Puerto Rico generally make around $15,052.
Ppg Technical College placed #13 among the best values for animal services. Located in the city of Caguas, Ppg Technical College is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $3,500. Early-career animal services graduates make about $6,481.
Morrisville State College came in at #14 for value in animal services this year. Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Morrisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $19,245. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $12,000. Animal Services graduates of Morrisville State College earn a median of $41,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earned the #15 position for value in animal services this year. Set in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $23,490. Animal Services graduates of Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earn a median of $31,793 early in their careers. Set against $23,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Unity College landed the #16 spot for animal services value this year. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the animal services program here. Animal Services graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #17 spot for animal services value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the animal services program here. Early-career animal services graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Centenary College came in at #18 for value in animal services this year. Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackettstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,732. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of Centenary College earn a median of $34,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Centenary College admits about 83% of applicants.
Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas came in at #19 for value in animal services this year. Set in the city of Caguas, Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas generally make around $22,168. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Saint Francis University landed the #20 spot for animal services value this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $30,729 in student loans. Early-career animal services graduates make about $63,097. That is a strong return on a $30,729 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas Tech University earned the #21 position for value in animal services this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, animal services degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #22 for value in animal services this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $24,066 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $31,881 early in their careers. Set against $24,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Centro De Estudios Multidisciplinarios Humacao placed #23 among the best values for animal services. Centro De Estudios Multidisciplinarios Humacao is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Humacao. In-state tuition and fees average $12,900. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $5,953 in student loans. Animal Services graduates of Centro De Estudios Multidisciplinarios Humacao earn a median of $13,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Post University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value animal services schools. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete the animal services program here. Early-career animal services graduates make about $50,494. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Texas A And M University landed the #25 spot for animal services value this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $21,559 in student loans. Early-career animal services graduates make about $31,362. That is a strong return on a $21,559 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Animal Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for animal services this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
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).
[Animal Services](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
