Animal Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Animal Sciences encompasses a broad and dynamic field dedicated to the study of animal biology, health, behavior, and management across diverse contexts. This interdisciplinary program prepares students to address complex challenges in animal production, welfare, and sustainability through scientific inquiry and applied research.
- Animal Physiology: Explores the biological functions and systems that govern animal health, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environmental conditions.
- Animal Nutrition: Investigates the dietary needs of animals, feed formulation, and the impact of nutrition on performance, immunity, and overall well-being.
- Animal Behavior: Examines patterns of interaction, communication, and cognitive processes in animals, with applications in husbandry, conservation, and welfare.
- Reproductive Biology: Focuses on the mechanisms of fertility, breeding systems, and advanced reproductive technologies used in livestock and companion animals.
- Genetics and Breeding: Applies principles of heredity and selection to improve animal traits, enhance productivity, and support sustainable breeding programs.
- Animal Health and Disease Management: Addresses prevention, diagnosis, and control of diseases, emphasizing biosecurity, immunology, and veterinary science collaboration.
- Animal Production Systems: Analyzes efficient and ethical methods for raising livestock, including pasture management, facility design, and sustainable intensification.
- Animal Welfare and Ethics: Evaluates standards and practices that promote humane treatment, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance in animal care.
Animal Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Animal Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Animal Sciences 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 56,870 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 |
Animal Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,873 in Arkansas to $95,825 in Minnesota—a 85% difference. The highest-paying states include Minnesota, California, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 56,870 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 Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 11 institutions offering Animal Sciences 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 Sciences is found at Unity Environmental University (117 graduates), Santa Fe College (SF) (46 graduates), Delaware Valley University (DelVal) (24 graduates), University of California (UCD), Davis (15 graduates), and Alabama A & M University (AAMU) (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 249 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unity Environmental University |
Bachelor's
|
117 | New Gloucester, Maine | Private | unity.edu |
| Santa Fe College (SF) |
Associate's
|
46 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | sfcollege.edu |
| Delaware Valley University (DelVal) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Private | delval.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Alabama A & M University (AAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Normal, Alabama | Public | aamu.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Centenary University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Hackettstown, New Jersey | Private | centenaryuniversity.edu |
| Stautzenberger College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Maumee, Ohio | Private | sctoday.edu |
| Wilson College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Chambersburg, Pennsylvania | Private | wilson.edu |
| Stautzenberger College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Rockford, Illinois | Private | rockfordcareercollege.edu |
| Stautzenberger College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Brecksville, Ohio | Private | sctoday.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Animal Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Animal Sciences degree?
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 $95,825 compared to $51,873 in Arkansas. Approximately 56,870 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 Sciences programs?
Currently 11 accredited institutions offer Animal Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Unity Environmental University (117 graduates), Santa Fe College (SF) (46 graduates), and Delaware Valley University (DelVal) (24 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 Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 186 in 2010 to 249 in 2023-24. This represents a 34% 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 Sciences 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 56,870 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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