by our College Data Analytics Team
[Animal Services](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/animal-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for animal services students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in animal services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Sheridan College the best value for a degree in animal services in the Rocky Mountains Region. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Animal Services graduates carry a median of $13,910 in student loans. Early-career animal services graduates make about $49,039. Set against $13,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value animal services schools. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $9,300. Animal Services graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,300 median debt.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value animal services schools. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in animal services will find it at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for animal services graduates is $24,066. Early-career animal services graduates make about $31,881. Set against $24,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.