Equine Science and Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Equine Science and Management is a comprehensive academic program designed to equip students with the expertise needed to oversee the health, performance, and operational aspects of equine enterprises. The curriculum integrates scientific principles with practical management strategies, preparing graduates for leadership roles in horse care, breeding, and the business of equine operations.
- Animal Science and Equine Health: Explores physiological systems, nutrition, disease prevention, and reproductive biology specific to horses, emphasizing evidence-based care and wellness protocols.
- Equine Behavior and Performance: Investigates behavioral patterns, training methodologies, and performance evaluation to enhance athletic development and rider-horse collaboration.
- Stable and Facility Management: Focuses on the design, maintenance, and safety standards of stables, barns, arenas, and related infrastructure to support efficient and humane operations.
- Business and Operations Management: Covers financial planning, human resources, marketing strategies, and operational logistics essential for running sustainable equine businesses and facilities.
- Regulatory Compliance and Ethics: Examines local, state, and federal regulations governing animal welfare, equine transportation, competition rules, and environmental stewardship in equine settings.
- Equipment and Technology Integration: Teaches the selection, maintenance, and use of modern tools and technologies, from grooming systems to digital record-keeping platforms, to improve efficiency and care quality.
Equine Science and Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Equine Science and Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Equine Science and Management degrees, including Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 56,130 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers 11-9013 | $87,980 | $51,700 - $156,530 | 5,910 | $42.30 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers 45-1011 | $59,330 | $39,610 - $90,840 | 29,530 | $28.53 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
| Animal Breeders 45-2021 | $52,000 | $37,130 - $89,970 | 1,730 | $25.00 |
Equine Science and Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,873 in Arkansas to $91,820 in Maryland—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include Maryland, Illinois, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 56,130 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Equine Science and Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 43 institutions offering Equine Science and Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Equine Science and Management is found at University of Kentucky (UK) (50 graduates), Kentucky Horseshoeing School (KHS) (33 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (30 graduates), Oklahoma State University (OSU), Main Campus (25 graduates), and Isothermal Community College (ICC) (24 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 458 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
|
50 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Kentucky Horseshoeing School (KHS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
33 | Richmond, Kentucky | Private | khs.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
30 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Other Award
|
25 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Isothermal Community College (ICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Spindale, North Carolina | Public | isothermal.edu |
| Mid-America Technology Center |
Other Award
|
23 | Wayne, Oklahoma | Public | matech.edu |
| Delaware Valley University (DelVal) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Private | delval.edu |
| Weatherford College (WC) |
Other Award
|
20 | Weatherford, Texas | Public | wc.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Black Hawk College (BHC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Moline, Illinois | Public | bhc.edu |
| Ellsworth Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | Iowa Falls, Iowa | Public | ecc.iavalley.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Crookston, Minnesota | Public | crk.umn.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| North Central Texas College (NCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Gainesville, Texas | Public | nctc.edu |
| Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Ontario, Oregon | Public | tvcc.cc |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Other Award
|
9 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| Feather River Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Quincy, California | Public | frc.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Victor Valley College (VVC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Victorville, California | Public | vvc.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Reedley College |
Other Award
|
5 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Other Award
|
5 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Associate's
|
5 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| Cecil College |
Other Award
|
4 | North East, Maryland | Public | cecil.edu |
| William Woods University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Fulton, Missouri | Private | williamwoods.edu |
| Martin Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Williamston, North Carolina | Public | martincc.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
4 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Cosumnes River College (CRC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Sacramento, California | Public | crc.losrios.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| Colby Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | Colby, Kansas | Public | colbycc.edu |
| Centenary University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hackettstown, New Jersey | Private | centenaryuniversity.edu |
| Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Albany, Oregon | Public | linnbenton.edu |
| Merced College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Missouri State University (MSU‑WP) |
Other Award
|
1 | West Plains, Missouri | Public | wp.missouristate.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Dickinson State University (DSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Dickinson, North Dakota | Public | dickinsonstate.edu |
| Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Altus, Oklahoma | Public | wosc.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Residency
|
1 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Equine Science and Management programs
How much can I earn with a Equine Science and Management degree?
Salaries for Equine Science and Management graduates vary by role and location. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn a median of $87,980 annually, while Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $86,350. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maryland average $91,820 compared to $51,873 in Arkansas. Approximately 56,130 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Equine Science and Management programs?
Currently 43 accredited institutions offer Equine Science and Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Kentucky (UK) (50 graduates), Kentucky Horseshoeing School (KHS) (33 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (30 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Equine Science and Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 141 in 2010 to 458 in 2023-24. This represents a 225% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Equine Science and Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 56,130 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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