by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you see yourself breeding, training, or raising animals, then a degree in animal science is for you.
Animal Science majors working with animals and envision a program to learn more about the creatures and how to properly work with them. Classes in Animal Science include animal biology and physiology, biochemistry, biology, and life sciences to learn the principles surrounding animal husbandry, livestock operations, and the business of agriculture.
Although schools offer the option to major in general Animal Science, there is also the option to specialize in areas such as Agricultural Animal Breeding, Animal Health, Animal Nutrition, Dairy Science, Livestock Management and Poultry Science.
Animal Science was the 92nd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8,294 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 208 over the prior year, a growth of 2.5%.
Our 2023 Best Animal Science Schools ranking analyzes 77 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for animal science students. Explore this or one of our many other custom animal science rankings further below.
Working with animals takes patience, compassion, and an interest in their well-being. The job requires strong problem solving skills and close attention to detail to assess any issues that come up during animal training, and to ensure animals are maintaining a proper diet and show no abnormal changes in behavior. Animal Scientists work closely with farmers and animal owners, so it is necessary to possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to ensure information about animals is properly and clearly shared with all necessary individuals.
Depending on the type of job pursued, the typical workweek of an Animal Science major varies. Animals require care around the clock, so hours may be irregular and require work at nights and on the weekends. Depending on where you work however, you may have a more typical office job that sticks to a 40-hour a week schedule.
When pursuing a career in Animal Science, experience working with animals is important. Try interning or working with an animal scientist, trainer or even a veterinarian to gain experience. Volunteering at a local animal shelter will also give you the opportunity to work with domestic animals. Employers look for and prefer previous experience working with animals while hiring job prospects.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most animal science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic animal science program qualifications, to serve in some animal science careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Animal Science degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in animal science to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the animal science degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to animal science, with approximately 23.5% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to animal science tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 22.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 20.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.0% |
| High School Diploma | 11.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 10.1% |
Most workers in animal science have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in animal science have received.
This of course varies depending on which animal science career you choose.
There are many career options available to Animal Science majors. Many people immediately think of a career on a ranch or farm, but a degree in this field opens up opportunities in scientific research, management, or even sales. Animal Science majors also hold jobs as breeders, trainers, and animal nutritionists.
A degree in Animal Science makes you very appealing to employers.
Want a job when you graduate with your animal science degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to animal science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | 1,020,700 | -0.8% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | 49,700 | 2.1% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | 11,200 | 7.7% |
| Animal Scientists | 6,400 | 4.9% |
Recently graduated animal science students earned an average of $30,691 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $18,564 to as high as $83,341. As you might expect, salaries for animal science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for animal science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers animal science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | $79,940 |
| Animal Scientists | $67,690 |
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | $52,700 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | $50,790 |
With over 370 different animal science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased animal science school rankings to help you with this.
Animal Science is one of 16 different types of Agriculture & Agriculture Operations programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal Sciences, General | 7,647 |
| Dairy Science | 216 |
| Poultry Science | 214 |
| Animal Sciences, Other | 153 |
| Livestock Management | 30 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 8,646 |
| Agricultural Economics & Business | 8,098 |
| General Agriculture | 3,370 |
| Horticulture | 3,234 |
| Plant Sciences | 3,175 |
Image Credit: By Billy Hathorn under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
