1. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a large public institution in Gainesville, FL. It takes top spot on this list (and many others) because it offers affordable tuition and highly rated animal science degree programs. UF offers degrees in this field at the bachelor’s, master’s degrees, and doctoral levels.
- Tuition per year: $6,381 in-state; $28,659 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 87%
2. North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is another large public university. It’s located in Raleigh, NC. It offers a leading undergraduate program in the field. NC State also offers master’s and doctoral degrees in animal science.
- Tuition per year: $9,109 in-state; $29,220 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 77%
3. California Polytechnic Institute
California Polytechnic Institute is a public institution in San Luis Obispo, CA. It offers a Bachelor’s in Animal Science. Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department boasts one of the most comprehensive hands-on, Learn by Doing programs in the United States, as students work with several species of animals on a regular basis.
- Tuition per year: $9,943 in-state; $22,833 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 83%
4. Iowa State University
Iowa State University is a large public university in the small city of Ames. ISU offers a top bachelor’s in Animal Science. The Department of Animal Science Undergraduate Program intends for its graduates to be able to explain the symbiotic relationship of animals and humans, to contribute to the solution of complex problems of animal enterprise management, and to apply their knowledge and skills in a technically demanding global community
- Tuition per year: $9,320 in-state; $24,508 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 75%
5. University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin is known as one of the top public universities in the country, so it’s no surprise that it makes our top five. Wisconsin offers the top animal science program in the state. Degrees are available at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
- Tuition per year: $10,725 in-state; $37,785 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 85%
6. Purdue University
Purdue University offers the top animal science program in Indiana. They are comprised of ~700 undergraduate students, ~60 graduate students, ~30 professors, and ~20 staff members. The institution also offers degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels.
- Tuition per year: $9,992 in-state; $28,794 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 76%
7. University of Nebraska
The University of Nebraska boasts one of the top animal science programs in the country. It offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels. Its undergraduate program is moderately large, with 340 students enrolled.
- Tuition per year: $9,522 in-state; $25,828 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 67%
8. Ohio State University
Ohio State University is a leading public institution in Columbus. It offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the field of animal science. Roughly 650 students are enrolled at the undergraduate level, which is slightly more than the average animal science program at other institutions.
- Tuition per year: $11,084 in-state; $32,061 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 83%
9. South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is a mid-sized institution in the small college town of Brookings. They offer an Animal Science B.S. with a Production Management Specialization. In this program, you will explore how to manage, feed, breed, and care for livestock through topics like nutrition, reproduction, growth & development, and breeding & genetics.
- Tuition per year: $9,114 in-state; $12,589 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 53%
If you’re looking for a great animal science degree program, you can find what you need on our site.
10. Auburn University
Auburn University is one of the leading public universities in the South. Their major in animal sciences (ANSC) will prepare you for a career in veterinary medicine, medicine, equine science, food safety, animal and allied industries and related areas.
- Tuition per year: $11,492 in-state; $31,124 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 75%
11. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a large public institution in College Station. The Department of Animal Science offers dynamic and challenging undergraduate and graduate programs that cover a broad variety of fields including animal behavior, animal biotechnology, beef cattle, dairy science, equine science, food science and technology, meat science, physiology of reproduction, sheep, goats, and swine.
- Tuition per year: $12,153 in-state; $38,602 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 80%
12. University of California – Davis
The University of California – Davis offers one of the leading undergraduate animal science programs in the state. UC Davis only offers a program at the undergraduate level, not at the graduate level. The Bachelor of Science program in Animal Science attracts students with a broad array of interests in animals including nutritional needs, physiological functions, genetic control of function, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
- Tuition per year: $14,495 in-state; $44,249 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 85%
13. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is leading public institution with a very large student body. It has the best animal science program in the state. Degrees are offered at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
- Tuition per year: $15,122 in-state; $32,264 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 85%
14. Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a large public institution with the best animal science program in the state. The animal science program is designed to prepare students for a variety of career opportunities through education on scientific principles of biology and animal agriculture developed from various animal models. Degrees are also offered at the master’s and doctoral levels.
- Tuition per year: $14,460 in-state; $39,766 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 78%
15. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota has one of the best animal science programs in the Midwest. The animal science major prepares students for veterinary school, work as managers or technical advisors for animal production systems, various careers in animal industries or biotechnology, or graduate study in animal-related specializations.
- Tuition per year: $15,027 in-state; $33,325 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 78%
16. University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut, commonly known as UConn, has one of the best animal science programs in New England. It is one of the few institutions to offer an associate’s degree in the field. Degrees are also offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. They are the only animal science program in New England that has all livestock species within walking distance on campus.
- Tuition per year: $17,296 in-state; $39,894 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 82%
17. Pennsylvania State University
The educational experiences included in Penn State’s major should prepare the student for a wide range of positions in production agriculture agribusiness, and related industries, and provide preparation for the pursuit of post-baccalaureate studies leading to professional or advanced degrees. The student is expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of the biological and physical sciences underlying the functioning of all types of animals.
- Tuition per year: $18,450 in-state; $35,514 non-resident
- Graduation rate: 73%
18. Cornell University
Cornell University is the most prestigious institution on our list, as it is an Ivy League school. Its ranking is hurt slightly by its pricy tuition, but it still offers an excellent animal science program. Degrees are offered at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Our Ranking Methodology
Our rankings are calculated with the help of a proprietary formula. Our formula considers two statistics for each school: yearly tuition rate and graduation rate. Some of the institutions on this list charge varying rates for in-state and non-resident students. We only considered the in-state tuition rate for these schools. The formula works by taking the yearly tuition rate and adding a multiplier that is equivalent to the percentage of students who matriculated but did not end up with a degree. Here’s an example: University #1 has a yearly tuition rate of $20,000 and a graduation rate of 70%. Its rating would be 26,000 (20,000 x 130%). Lower ratings are good with our formula, so the schools in this article are ranked from lowest to highest.
Students who are looking for the best animal science degree programs can find the right school by using our services.
Representatives of the schools on this list can request corrections or ask questions by contacting us.