Animal Nutrition: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Animal Nutrition is a specialized field dedicated to understanding the biochemical and physiological processes that govern how animals utilize nutrients to support health, growth, and productivity. This program equips students with a rigorous foundation in the science of dietary components and their impact on animal performance, welfare, and the quality of agricultural outputs.
- Nutrition Science: Explores the principles of nutrient requirements, dietary formulation, and the metabolic pathways through which animals process food to sustain life and support production.
- Animal Health and Physiology: Investigates the interplay between nutritional status and physiological function, including immune response, reproduction, and disease resistance in livestock and companion animals.
- Biochemistry: Focuses on the chemical processes within living organisms, particularly how macronutrients and micronutrients are synthesized, transformed, and utilized at the molecular level.
- Cellular and Molecular Biology: Examines the fundamental units of life, emphasizing gene expression, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation in response to dietary inputs.
- Animal Husbandry: Covers the practical and ethical management of animals, including feeding strategies, housing systems, and breeding practices that influence nutritional outcomes.
- Food Science: Integrates knowledge of nutrient stability, processing effects, and safety to ensure that animal-derived products meet quality and regulatory standards from farm to fork.
Animal Nutrition Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Animal Nutrition Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Animal Nutrition degrees, including Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Animal Scientists. 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 27,340 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 |
| Animal Scientists 19-1011 | $79,120 | $48,440 - $235,750 | 2,470 | $38.04 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Animal Nutrition Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,985 in Arkansas to $106,577 in Minnesota—a 97% difference. The highest-paying states include Minnesota, California, and Idaho. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 27,340 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 Animal Nutrition by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 1 institutions offering Animal Nutrition 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 Animal Nutrition is found at Oklahoma State University (OSU), Main Campus (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Animal Nutrition programs
How much can I earn with a Animal Nutrition degree?
Salaries for Animal Nutrition 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 $106,577 compared to $53,985 in Arkansas. Approximately 27,340 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 Animal Nutrition programs?
Currently 1 accredited institutions offer Animal Nutrition degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Oklahoma State University (OSU), Main Campus (5 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 Animal Nutrition growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3 in 2010 to 5 in 2023-24. This represents a 67% 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 Animal Nutrition degree?
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 27,340 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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