2026 Best Value Animal Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Animal Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 162 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Animal Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
South Dakota State University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete their Animal Science program here. South Dakota State University alumni report median earnings of $55,070 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about South Dakota State University
Out of the 162 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #2 spot. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical Animal Science student debt is $23,625. North Dakota State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $62,203 a decade after entry. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
You'll get strong value at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3 this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,981 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
You'll get strong value at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Animal Science program debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Out of the 162 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wyoming landed the #5 spot. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical Animal Science student debt is $23,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,880 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Wyoming profile
Texas Tech University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical Animal Science student debt is $21,369. Median earnings reach $62,454 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants. Read more about Texas Tech University
Iowa State University placed #7 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. The median Animal Science program debt is $21,500. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. See the full Iowa State University profile
Texas A And M University College Station placed #8 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $18,906 in student loans. Median earnings reach $72,097 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants. More on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Delaware placed #8 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $24,572 in student loans. University Of Delaware alumni report median earnings of $72,950 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,572 median debt. University Of Delaware has an acceptance rate of 71%. Read more about University Of Delaware
Kansas State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,757 to complete their Animal Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. See the full Kansas State University profile
University Of Georgia came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. University Of Georgia Animal Science students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. University Of Georgia alumni report median earnings of $68,726 a decade after entry. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,424. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Cornell University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete their Animal Science program here. Median earnings reach $104,043 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 9% of those who apply are admitted. More on Cornell University
University Of Arkansas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. This public school is set in Fayetteville, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. University Of Arkansas alumni report median earnings of $58,191 a decade after entry. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants. Read more about University Of Arkansas
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Animal Science students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,413 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Auburn University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete their Animal Science program here. Median earnings reach $65,337 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants. Get the full Auburn University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,689 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,758 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Animal Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,020. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities has an acceptance rate of 80%. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Animal Science students take on a median of $22,045 in debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins alumni report median earnings of $60,543 a decade after entry. Set against $22,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Animal Science program debt is $22,631. Median earnings reach $81,698 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,631 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia Animal Science students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,403 ten years out. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $17,651 in student loans. Median earnings reach $60,409 ten years out. Set against $17,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Florida came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Animal Science program debt is $16,475. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,475 median debt. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%. See the full University Of Florida profile
Michigan State University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Michigan State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Animal Science student debt is $19,850. Median earnings reach $81,054 ten years out. Set against $19,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Animal Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical Animal Science student debt is $21,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,860 ten years after entry. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Utah State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Utah State University Animal Science students take on a median of $17,449 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,022. Set against $17,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%. Get the full Utah State University report
Washington State University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Washington State University Animal Science students take on a median of $19,545 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants. Read the full report on Washington State University
The University Of Tennessee came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,693 to complete their Animal Science program here. Median earnings reach $60,249 ten years out. Set against $21,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical Animal Science student debt is $23,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,025. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
West Virginia University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical Animal Science student debt is $20,500. Median earnings reach $55,939 ten years out. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about West Virginia University
New Mexico State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public school based in Las Cruces, NM. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Graduates carry a median of $18,489 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,067. That is a strong return on a $18,489 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants. More on New Mexico State University Main Campus
University Of Vermont came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Burlington, VT. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical Animal Science student debt is $24,250. University Of Vermont alumni report median earnings of $62,472 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Vermont report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. The median Animal Science program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,631. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Connecticut landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical Animal Science student debt is $17,758. University Of Connecticut alumni report median earnings of $73,997 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,758 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%. Read more about University Of Connecticut
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Middle Tennessee State University profile
Montana State University placed #38 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. Get the full Montana State University report
Tuskegee University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Tuskegee University report
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #40 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. Get the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona report
Western Oklahoma State College placed #41 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Western Oklahoma State College
Harcum College
Harcum College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Harcum College
Unity College
Unity College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Unity College profile
Clemson University placed #44 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. Get the full Clemson University report
Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Read more about Santa Fe College
Sam Houston State University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Animal Science schools. Read more about Sam Houston State University
Casper College
Casper College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Casper College
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Minnesota Crookston
Wayne Community College placed #50 among the best-value Animal Science schools in the United States. More on Wayne Community College
Related Animal Science Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Animal Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Animal Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Animal Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Animal Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Animal Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Animal Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Animal Science Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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).
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