2026 Best Animal Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Animal Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 162 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Animal Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found South Dakota State University to be the best Animal Science school in the United States. Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. South Dakota State University Animal Science students take on a median of $23,162 in debt. More on South Dakota State University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Animal Science students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Out of the 162 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. The median Animal Science program debt is $21,500. See the full Iowa State University profile
Out of the 162 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #4 spot. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Animal Science students take on a median of $20,981 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
The strong Animal Science programs at Auburn University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Auburn University Animal Science students take on a median of $21,625 in debt. See the full Auburn University profile
Cornell University placed #6 among Animal Science schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical Animal Science student debt is $14,100. Get the full Cornell University report
Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among Animal Science schools in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Purdue University Main Campus Animal Science students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. The median Animal Science program debt is $22,250. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Animal Science students take on a median of $18,906 in debt. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical Animal Science student debt is $23,625. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $17,651 to complete their Animal Science program here. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Michigan State University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical Animal Science student debt is $26,000. Read more about Michigan State University
Kansas State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $22,757 in student loans. Read more about Kansas State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical Animal Science student debt is $22,689. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Animal Science students take on a median of $22,631 in debt. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. The median Animal Science program debt is $19,500. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. The median Animal Science program debt is $22,045. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Animal Science students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
University Of Wyoming placed #20 among Animal Science schools in the United States. Located in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wyoming
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia Animal Science students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
University Of Arkansas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Located in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Get the full University Of Arkansas report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Animal Science students take on a median of $19,850 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Florida came in at #24 in this year's ranking. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Animal Science students take on a median of $16,475 in debt. Read more about University Of Florida
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical Animal Science student debt is $21,369. See the full Texas Tech University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Animal Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Delaware came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,572 to complete their Animal Science program here. See the full University Of Delaware profile
University Of Kentucky ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical Animal Science student debt is $23,250. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
The University Of Tennessee placed #28 among Animal Science schools in the United States. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The median Animal Science program debt is $21,693. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
Washington State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. The median Animal Science program debt is $19,545. More on Washington State University
Utah State University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Utah State University is a public school based in Logan, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,449 in student loans. See the full Utah State University profile
West Virginia University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. West Virginia University Animal Science students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. See the full West Virginia University profile
University Of Vermont ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Set in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete their Animal Science program here. More on University Of Vermont
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Animal Science program here. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
University Of Connecticut did well this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. University Of Connecticut posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. The median Animal Science program debt is $17,758. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #35 among Animal Science schools in the United States. Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Graduates carry a median of $18,489 in student loans. See the full New Mexico State University Main Campus profile
Huntington University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. More on Huntington University
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #37 in this year's ranking. More on University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Indian Hills Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. More on Indian Hills Community College
College Of Southern Idaho landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Read more about College Of Southern Idaho
Stautzenberger College Brecksville did well this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Stautzenberger College Brecksville profile
Louisiana Tech University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Louisiana Tech University
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Clemson University
Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on Santa Fe College
College Of The Ozarks came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on College Of The Ozarks
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks report
University Of California Davis placed #46 among Animal Science schools in the United States. More on University Of California Davis
Dawson Community College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Dawson Community College
Northcentral Technical College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Northcentral Technical College
The University Of Findlay ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. Read the full report on The University Of Findlay
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Animal Science schools. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
Related Animal Science Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Animal Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Animal Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Animal Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Animal Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Animal Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Animal Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Animal Science Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 162 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.