Animal Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Animal Sciences 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 Minnesota average $87,698 compared to $45,510 in Louisiana. Approximately 71,210 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 124 accredited institutions offer Animal Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCD), Davis (310 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (307 graduates), and Texas Tech University (TTU) (276 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 5,029 in 2010 to 7,535 in 2023-24. This represents a 50% 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.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Animal Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 71,210 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.