Dairy Science: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dairy Science is a specialized academic discipline dedicated to the scientific advancement of milk production, dairy animal management, and the transformation of raw milk into safe, high-quality dairy products. This program integrates core principles from biology, chemistry, and applied sciences to address challenges in animal welfare, food safety, and sustainable production systems.
- Animal Sciences: Focuses on the physiology, genetics, and breeding of dairy cattle to optimize productivity, health, and longevity within modern farming operations.
- Nutrition Sciences: Explores the dietary needs of dairy animals, emphasizing feed formulation, nutrient utilization, and the impact of nutrition on milk yield and quality.
- Food Science and Technology: Covers the processing, preservation, and quality control of dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter, with an emphasis on innovation and shelf-life extension.
- Biochemistry: Investigates the molecular composition and metabolic processes in milk and dairy animals, supporting advancements in product development and health monitoring.
- Animal and Human Health & Safety: Addresses disease prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and regulatory standards to ensure the safety of both livestock and the final dairy products consumed by humans.
Dairy Science Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dairy Science Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dairy Science 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 71,210 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 |
| 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 |
| Agricultural Technicians 19-4012 | $46,790 | $32,860 - $69,010 | 14,340 | $22.49 |
Dairy Science Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,510 in Louisiana to $87,698 in Minnesota—a 93% difference. The highest-paying states include Minnesota, California, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 71,210 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 Dairy Science by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Dairy Science 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 Dairy Science is found at South Dakota State University (SDSU) (22 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (20 graduates), California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (18 graduates), Northcentral Technical College (NTC) (18 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 154 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Associate's
Residency
|
18 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | River Falls, Wisconsin | Public | uwrf.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Platteville, Wisconsin | Public | uwplatt.edu |
| Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Portales, New Mexico | Public | enmu.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
7 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Delaware Valley University (DelVal) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Private | delval.edu |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) |
Associate's
|
2 | Cobleskill, New York | Public | cobleskill.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Associate's
|
2 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dairy Science programs
How much can I earn with a Dairy Science degree?
Salaries for Dairy Science 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.
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 Dairy Science programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Dairy Science degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include South Dakota State University (SDSU) (22 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (20 graduates), and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (18 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 Dairy Science growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 220 in 2010 to a peak of 255 in 2020, before declining slightly to 154 in 2023-24. This represents a 30% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Dairy Science 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 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.
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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