Animal Sciences: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 83 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$207,603 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
59.5 yrsModeled economic break-even
−83%Modeled 10-year ROI
$49,193Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$49,193Median reported earnings · year 4
$53,238Average reported earnings · year 5
$22,250Median federal debt
19thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
83Reporting programs
79With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $27,324
- Federal debt
- $17,480
- Reporting programs
- 4
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $42,663
- Federal debt
- $12,000
- Reporting programs
- 13
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $49,193
- Federal debt
- $22,250
- Reporting programs
- 83
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $82,704
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$45,959National median$49,19375th percentile$53,117
79 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Georgia$61,1762University of Massachusetts-Amherst$59,5433University of Wisconsin-Madison$57,6054Texas A&M University-College Station$57,3245University of Maryland-College Park$56,2486University of Arkansas$56,1367Texas Tech University$55,7538Stephen F Austin State University$54,9849California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$54,80510Michigan State University$54,751Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1041 · 8 crosswalk linksFarmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural ManagersSOC 11-9013 · 8 crosswalk linksAnimal ScientistsSOC 19-1011 · 7 crosswalk linksFarm and Home Management EducatorsSOC 25-9021 · 7 crosswalk linksFirst-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry WorkersSOC 45-1011 · 5 crosswalk linksAgricultural TechniciansSOC 19-4012 · 3 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of GeorgiaBachelor's Degree | Athens, GA | $61,176 | $22,250 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstBachelor's Degree | Amherst, MA | $59,543 | $27,000 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $57,605 | $26,000 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $57,324 | $18,906 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $56,248 | $21,500 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | University of ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, AR | $56,136 | $23,551 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $55,753 | $21,369 | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Stephen F Austin State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Nacogdoches, TX | $54,984 | $21,739 | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoBachelor's Degree | San Luis Obispo, CA | $54,805 | $20,500 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $54,751 | $26,000 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $54,509 | $25,169 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Purdue University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $54,089 | $20,500 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Oklahoma State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Stillwater, OK | $53,971 | $19,500 | -64% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $53,934 | $22,045 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | University of KentuckyBachelor's Degree | Lexington, KY | $53,918 | $23,250 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | South Dakota State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Brookings, SD | $53,784 | $23,162 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | California State University, FresnoBachelor's Degree | Fresno, CA | $53,579 | $17,585 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleBachelor's Degree | Platteville, WI | $53,530 | $20,875 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Northwest Missouri State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Maryville, MO | $53,418 | $23,000 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $53,226 | $22,689 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Auburn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Auburn, AL | $53,117 | $21,625 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $53,017 | $15,550 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Cornell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ithaca, NY | $52,967 | $14,100 | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mississippi State, MS | $52,755 | $20,938 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | West Virginia UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $52,548 | $20,500 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Iowa State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ames, IA | $51,644 | $21,500 | -74% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $51,271 | $19,500 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Texas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, TX | $51,157 | $21,662 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | North Dakota State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Fargo, ND | $50,975 | $23,625 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Kansas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manhattan, KS | $50,941 | $22,757 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | University of MaineBachelor's Degree | Orono, ME | $50,825 | $27,000 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $50,769 | $23,301 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at CobleskillBachelor's Degree | Cobleskill, NY | $50,491 | $24,000 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | University of Rhode IslandBachelor's Degree | Kingston, RI | $50,203 | $21,750 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $49,999 | $24,572 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $49,772 | $26,000 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $49,656 | $21,693 | -82% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Sam Houston State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Huntsville, TX | $49,636 | $21,745 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Delaware Valley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Doylestown, PA | $49,225 | $27,000 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | University of Nebraska-LincolnBachelor's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $49,193 | $20,981 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | University of WyomingBachelor's Degree | Laramie, WY | $49,092 | $23,250 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | University of Wisconsin-River FallsBachelor's Degree | River Falls, WI | $48,680 | $23,183 | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | California State University, ChicoBachelor's Degree | Chico, CA | $48,474 | $17,334 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | University of VermontBachelor's Degree | Burlington, VT | $48,468 | $24,250 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | University of California, DavisBachelor's Degree | Davis, CA | $48,441 | $13,625 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | North Carolina A&T State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greensboro, NC | $48,155 | $28,043 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $48,026 | $19,850 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | University of Missouri-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, MO | $47,983 | $19,500 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Clemson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Clemson, SC | $47,853 | $24,827 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $47,724 | $16,475 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $47,577 | $23,515 | -91% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $47,577 | $23,515 | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $47,577 | $23,515 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $47,577 | $23,515 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $47,577 | $23,515 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $47,224 | $22,631 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | The University of FindlayBachelor's Degree | Findlay, OH | $46,977 | $26,000 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Montana State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bozeman, MT | $46,313 | $24,034 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Oregon State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Corvallis, OR | $45,959 | $22,362 | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBachelor's Degree | Bend, OR | $45,959 | $22,362 | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Angelo State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Angelo, TX | $45,758 | $19,183 | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $45,548 | $18,195 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Texas A&M University-KingsvilleBachelor's Degree | Kingsville, TX | $44,214 | $25,000 | -103% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $43,797 | $23,143 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Tarleton State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Stephenville, TX | $43,185 | $21,638 | -107% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | University of Hawaii at ManoaBachelor's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $42,671 | $24,125 | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | College of the OzarksBachelor's Degree | Point Lookout, MO | $42,296 | Not available | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Murfreesboro, TN | $41,965 | $18,415 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleBachelor's Degree | Carbondale, IL | $41,932 | $21,936 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Southeast Missouri State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cape Girardeau, MO | $41,706 | Not available | -114% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Missouri State University-SpringfieldBachelor's Degree | Springfield, MO | $41,658 | $19,687 | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Washington State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pullman, WA | $41,634 | $19,545 | -114% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | East Texas A&M UniversityBachelor's Degree | Commerce, TX | $41,105 | $23,000 | -117% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | University of IdahoBachelor's Degree | Moscow, ID | $40,935 | $25,000 | -117% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Tuskegee UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tuskegee, AL | $39,949 | $27,000 | -116% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | Utah State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Logan, UT | $39,041 | $17,449 | -125% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezBachelor's Degree | Mayaguez, PR | $37,629 | $7,125 | -129% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Las Cruces, NM | $36,858 | $18,489 | -138% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Louisiana Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ruston, LA | $36,769 | $26,626 | -136% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Brigham Young University-IdahoBachelor's Degree | Rexburg, ID | Not available | $18,870 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $8,221 |
| 81 | University of Minnesota-CrookstonBachelor's Degree | Crookston, MN | Not available | $21,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $12,212 |
| 82 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $23,805 |
| 83 | Sul Ross State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Alpine, TX | Not available | $20,050 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $13,286 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.