Animal science was the 92nd highest popular major in the 2020–2024 academic year. 8,294 degrees were granted this year alone, according to reports from colleges in the United States. This is an increase of 2.5% and a variation of 208 from the prior year.
A degree in animal science is appropriate for you if you envision yourself breeding, instructing, or caring for animals.
Majors in animal sciences who plan to work with animals hope to enroll in a course that will teach them more about creatures and how to treat them humanely.
Animal science courses cover animal biology and physiology, biochemistry, biology, and life sciences to teach students the fundamentals of animal husbandry, livestock management, and the agricultural industry.
Majors in animal science include a variety of job choices.
Many people think of a career in agriculture or ranching right away. However, a degree in this area might lead to opportunities in management, scientific research, or even sales. Breeders, trainers, and animal dietitians are other professions held by animal science majors. Discover up to 20 colleges with animal science majors by reading on.
See also: 15 Marketable Careers Working with Animals in 2024
Is Animal Science in demand?
Currently, there are about 6, 100 animal scientists in the United States. Its job market is expected to grow by 4.9% between 2016 and 2026 according to statistics.
The data above suggests posits that animal science major is in demand. Generally, animal science has a high demand for qualified professionals. Earning a degree in agriculture offers you a secure future.
How Much Do Animal Science Majors Make?
According to Career Explorer, animal science majors make an average salary of $65, 090 per year. Entry-level roles earn as low as $46, 930 while managerial-level positions offer $129, 470.
Animal science major graduates in America make, on average, $34,729 a year or $16.7 per hour according to Zippia. Several other factors that could affect how much you earn as an Animal Science major include the organization you work for and its location.
20 Colleges With Animal Science Major
It matters which animal science program and college you spend your money and time on. We’ve created 20 major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Animal Science Schools, to assist you in making the best choice for you.
#1. Cornell University
Cornell University is one of the top colleges with animal science majors in the United States. It is a private, non-profit university with a sizable student body in the city of Ithaca. According to Best Colleges, Cornell is a fantastic university, coming in at #13 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide.
Cornell awarded this degree to about 108 animal science students in the most current data year. In their first five years of employment, animal science graduates earn an average salary of $25,436.
See Also: 20 Colleges With Zoology Majors In 2024
#2. Iowa State University
Students seeking a career in animal science should choose Iowa State University. Ames is home to the enormous public institution known as Iowa State. Out of 40 institutions, this university has the highest overall quality rating in Iowa. It is among the colleges with animal science majors.
In the most recent year for which we have data, about 225 Iowa State students received this animal science degree. After graduation, Iowa State University’s animal science school graduates earn $21,307 more than the typical graduate with the same degree.
#3. Texas A&M University
This is one of the best universities in the nation to earn an animal science degree is Texas A&M University-College Station. College Station is home to Texas A&M College Station, a sizable public university. Texas A&M College Station is a fantastic university, earning a Best Colleges ranking of #55 out of 2,241 institutions globally.
This is astoundingly among the colleges with animal science majors. In the most recent year for which we have data, roughly 298 Texas A&M College Station students received degrees in animal science.
When they enter employment, Texas A&M University’s animal science school graduates earn $11,061 more than the average college graduate in this industry.
#4. University of Wisconsin – Madison
University of Wisconsin – Madison is a school that every student interested in animal science should research because it is highly rated among colleges with animal science majors. This sizable public university called UW-Madison is in the city of Madison.
According to Best Colleges, U.W. – Madison is a top university overall, coming in at number 33 out of 2,241 universities in the country.
61 U.W. – Madison animal science students received this degree in the most recent data year. Graduates from the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s animal science program earn $4,774 more than the average graduate with the same degree immediately after graduation.
#5. South Dakota State University
South Dakota State is a public institution with a sizable student body in the town of Brookings.
Out of 13 institutions, this university has the highest overall quality rating in South Dakota. It represents the state as one of the best colleges with animal science majors in the United States.
South Dakota State awarded this degree to roughly 138 animal science students in the most current data year. Graduates with an animal science degree from South Dakota State University earn around $10,117 more than typical graduates in the field.
See also: 15 Marketable Careers Working with Animals in 2024
#6. University of California – Davis
A fairly sizable public institution called UC Davis is in a Davis suburb. UC Davis is a fantastic university, coming up at #57 out of 2,241 institutions globally, according to Best Colleges.
In the most recent year for which we have data, about 364 students at UC Davis received this degree in animal science, so it is obviously among the fast-growing colleges with animal science majors.
Graduates with an animal science degree often start their careers with an average salary of $27,988 in their first five years out of school.
#7. North Carolina State University
NCSU is among the top colleges with animal science majors on our list. It is a public university with a sizable student body; N.C. The state is in the sizable city of Raleigh. In terms of overall quality, this university is ranked fifth out of 93 colleges in North Carolina.
In the most current data year, N.C. The state awarded this degree to about 225 animal science students. The average salary for new graduates from the animal science program in their first year of employment is $31,223.
#8. University of Georgia
Athens, a city of moderate size, is home to the fairly sizable public university known as UGA. UGA is an excellent university, earning a Best Colleges ranking of #79 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide.
The latest data year at UGA shows that roughly 136 students in animal science received this degree. Students majoring in animal science at the University of Georgia receive $2,372 more than the average animal science graduate.
#9. Ohio State University-Main Campus
Ohio State is a public institution with a sizable student body in Columbus. In terms of overall quality, this university is ranked second out of 96 institutions in Ohio.
In the most current data year, about 170 Ohio State students who majored in animal science graduated with degrees in that field. Earnings for graduates with an animal science degree from Ohio State University’s Main Campus are around $2,104 higher than those of other animal science majors.
See Also: How to become an Animal Psychologist In 2024 | Cost, Requirements, Schools
#10. Virginia Tech
In the tiny town of Blacksburg is the huge public university, Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech is a fantastic college overall, coming in at #48 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide, according to Best Colleges.
Virginia Tech is among the reputable colleges with animal science majors because of its amazing track record. In the most recent year for which we have data, about 189 Virginia Tech students received this degree in animal science. Graduates with a degree in animal science often start out making $27,809 or so.
#11. Michigan State University
Michigan State is a sizable public university in the little city of East Lansing. It is a fantastic university overall, coming in at #88 out of 2,241 institutions nationwide, according to Best Colleges.
In the most current data year, 189 Michigan State students received this animal science degree. Students in animal science who graduate from Michigan State University earn $3,552 more than the average graduate in the field.
#12. University of Florida (U.F.) in Gainesville
U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of national universities for 2019 placed U.F. at number 35. Its College of Veterinary Medicine was additionally ranked ninth in the nation.
A 65-acre horse farm and an 850-acre dairy teaching unit are two examples of research facilities run by U.F. in the Gainesville region. Other parts of the state have facilities for range cattle research.
The Dairy Science Building houses laboratories that are open to dairy students. U.F. runs a meat processing facility to support food safety training. Other amenities include a subtropical agricultural research station and an equine research and teaching section.
#13. University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin is a renowned public university in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a sizable university with 30,063 undergraduate students. Given that Wisconsin’s acceptance rate is 57%, admissions are moderately competitive.
Information science, economics, and psychology are popular majors. Alumni from Wisconsin graduate 88% of students and make a starting income of $45,000.
#14. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Anyone can pursue their impossibility at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign because countless opportunities are available.
This is a leading university with a history of innovation. And, they provide a demanding, forward-thinking environment to support your success. On campus, students find a sense of belonging, equity, and openness, as well as useful resources to help them along the journey.
Students move forward fearlessly with the strength of a UIUC degree, ready to take charge and ready to effect positive, long-lasting change.
#15. University of Maryland
The Washington, D.C. metro area of College Park, Maryland, is home to the highly regarded public university of Maryland. It is a sizable university with 28,160 undergraduate students. This college’s learning and practice facilities have gained it a place amidst excellent colleges with animal science majors.
Given that Maryland’s acceptance rate is 51%, admissions are moderately competitive. Computer science, information science, Animal science, and biology are popular majors. Alumni from Maryland graduate 87% of students and start at a salary of $47,200.
#16. Clemson University
This is a renowned public university and one of the outstanding colleges with animal science majors in South Carolina. It has over 20,021 undergraduate student, making it a sizable university.
Clemson’s acceptance rate is 62%, so admissions are a little competitive. Business, marketing, animal science, and psychology are popular majors. The starting pay for Clemson alumni, who graduate 85% of their students, is $43,600.
#17. Kansas State University
There are undergraduate and graduate programs in animal science, accounting, arts, architecture, chemistry, engineering, economics, education, English, management, geography, and history at Kansas State University. Manhattan, Kansas, serves as Kansas State University’s home, established in 1996.
Kansas State University is a prestigious institution for several fields of study and is one of the top colleges with animal science majors.
#18. Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University (MSU), also known as the Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science, is a public land-grant research university close to Starkville, Mississippi.
It is one of the “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” institutions, and it has the largest research and development budget in Mississippi, at $239.4 million. It has more students enrolled than at any other university or college in the state.
#19. University of Nebraska–Lincoln
In Lincoln, Nebraska, there is a public land-grant research institution known as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Nebraska, NU, or UNL).
The University of Nebraska, which was established in 1869 because of the Morrill Act of 1862, was known as such until 1968, when it merged with the Municipal University of Omaha to become the University of Nebraska system.
It is both the oldest university in the state and the system’s flagship institution. Since 1871, the Board of Regents oversees the institution. The district chooses these board members for six-year terms.
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, Engineering, Fine and Performing Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications, and Law are the nine colleges that make up the institution.
#20. Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama, has a public research institution known as Auburn University. It is the second-largest university in Alabama, with over 24,600 undergraduate students, over 30,000 students, and 1,330 academic members.
One of the two public flagship colleges in the state. Five Rhodes Scholars and five Truman Scholars are among the university’s alumni. It is categorized as one of the “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” universities.
East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts institution connected to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was the name given to Auburn when it received its charter on February 1st, 1856. It was renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama in 1872 and turned into the state’s first land-grant institution because of the Morrill Act.
#21. University of Tennessee
The Institution of Tennessee is a public land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee (formally The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, or UT Knoxville, UTK, or U.T.).
It is the flagship site of the University of Tennessee system, with ten undergraduate colleges and eleven graduate institutions, and was established in 1794, two years before Tennessee was admitted as the 16th state.
You can make it your top consideration of colleges with animal science majors. Over 30,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 other countries attend this university. It belongs to the category “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity.”
#22. University of Missouri
In Columbia, Missouri, there is a public land-grant research institution known as the University of Missouri (Mizzou, M.U., or Missouri). The flagship of the four-campus University of Missouri System, it is also the largest university in Missouri.
The University of Missouri-Columbia was established in 1839 and was the first public university west of the Mississippi River to offer undergraduate, graduate, continuing, and distance learning programs.
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, School of Natural Resources, College of Arts and Science, School of Fine Arts, School of Music, College of Business, and School of Accountancy are only a few universities’ schools and colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest-paid animal trainers can make up to $57,170 per year. The most lucrative jobs are in Minnesota, New York, and California. Developing one: A formal education is optional to work as an animal trainer.
With this degree, you have a wide range of career options, including veterinary medicine, agriculture, production management, biotechnology, animal behavior, and conservation. A strong animal science program offers an unrivaled combination of academics and career experience, even if you are still determining your professional route.
It is anticipated that employment of agricultural and food scientists will increase overall by 9%, which is approximately average for all occupations from 2020 to 2030. Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 4,400 jobs for agricultural and food scientists.
Animal nutritionists that create feed formulations for various farm animal species and companion animals are possible career options for animal scientists. New animal feeds, and animal nutritionists are developing feed additives. Geneticists and animal breeders are creating selection models and programs.
Many seasoned vet technicians eventually leave for human medicine since it pays better and uses many of their talents. Burnout and wider hazards to mental health are issues that veterinarians must also deal with.
Conclusion
The list of 20 colleges with Animal science majors has ended. You may narrow this list by location if you want to consider options from a specific region of the nation.
If you wish to have a flourishing career as an animal scientist, choose among the 20 colleges with animal science majors we have listed above. They are wonderful colleges with efficient learning facilities.
References
- Collegefactual.com – 2024 Best Animal Science Schools
- Learn.org – What are the best Animal science colleges
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