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List of Animal Science Colleges

Animal science majors have a thorough understanding of animal health, animal behavior, farm management, and livestock production. Animal science majors can work in a range of careers that involve animal care, while some employment require more education beyond a bachelor’s degree. An animal scientist is the most advanced job you can attain with this degree. You’d spend your time studying animal genetics, illnesses, and nutrition in this post, conducting research on strategies to improve livestock productivity. Read on for a list of animal science colleges.

What Will I Learn in a Bachelor’s Degree Class in Animal Science?

Animal care, livestock production, breeding, and animal disease control are among topics covered in an animal science program. Animal science majors are prepared for careers in animal behavior, veterinary sciences, agriculture, and biotechnology, among other subjects. Pre-veterinary care, the animal business, or exotic animals are likely to be offered as concentrations in your curriculum. Whether you’re interested in conservation or game population, you’ll have a variety of job choices with this degree.

What Will Be Included in the Curriculum?

You can take classes in business and marketing as well as science in a bachelor’s degree program in animal science. In addition to a basic understanding of animal anatomy and physiology, you will learn communication and management skills. You may choose to specialize in household animals, animal breeding, zoo keeping, or agriculture, depending on your interests.

List of Animal Science Colleges

Michigan State University is a public university in the state of Michigan

Michigan State University is a prominent public university in East Lansing, Michigan. In Michigan itself, this institution is 4th out of 67 schools for world class quality.

In the most recent year, 142 animal science students graduated from Michigan State University with this degree. Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University earn $6,382 more than the average animal science student.

Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a big public university in Minneapolis. UMN Twin Cities is a strong university in general, with a Best Schools ranking of #120 out of 2,576 colleges nationally.

From last year’s data which is publicly available, about 97 animal science students graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Shortly after graduating, graduates of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities’ animal science degree earn $6,182 more than the average college graduate in this sector.

University of California, Davis

UC Davis is a big public university in Davis, California, that is nestled in a tiny suburb. UC Davis is a strong university in general, with a Best Schools ranking of #112 out of 2,576 schools nationally.

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In the most recent year for which data is available, around 333 animal science students graduated from UC Davis.Note that the average entry level salary for students who graduate with a degree in animal science is pegged at $27,100.

River Falls Campus of the University of Wisconsin

This is another medium-sized public institution based in River Falls, Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, this university is ranked 5th out of 52 universities for overall quality.

From last year’s data which is publicly available, about 158 animal science students graduated from UW-River Falls.

Main Campus of Purdue University

Purdue University is based in the small but beautiful town of West Lafayette, and is a public university with a good student body. Purdue is a strong university in general, with a Best Schools ranking of #106 out of 2,576 schools nationally.

In the most recent year for which data is available, around 154 animal science students graduated from Purdue.

San Luis Obispo Polytechnic State University is a California Polytechnic State University located in San Luis Obispo, California.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public university in the city of San Luis Obispo’s suburbs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a strong university in general, with a Best Schools ranking of #70 out of 2,576 colleges nationally.

In the most recent data year, 182 animal science students graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with this degree. Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in animal science earn an average of $29,100 in their first few years of employment.

Iowa State University is a public university in Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa State Institution is a large public university in the small town of Ames, Iowa. In the state of Iowa, this university is ranked second out of 45 schools for overall quality.

In the most recent year for which data is available, around 245 animal science students graduated from Iowa State. Students who earn their bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University earn $6,982 more than the average animal science student.

South Dakota State University is a public university in South Dakota.

South Dakota State University is a public university with a big student body that is located in the distant town of Brookings. In the state of South Dakota, this university is ranked 4th out of 15 schools for overall quality.

In the most recent year for which data is available, 121 animal science students graduated from South Dakota State University.

What options do I have for a career?

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According to the American Society of Animal Science, animal science degree programs can lead to more than 500 different employment (www.asas.org). Veterinarian assistant, animal breeding technician, animal caretaker (usually a specialization in one type of animal, such as swine, cattle, or equine), lab technician, zookeeper, livestock manager, public relations specialist, marketer, kennel keeper, gamekeeper, meat processor, pet safety educator, or habitat specialist are some of the common careers pursued by graduates of an animal science major.

As of May 2020, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that animal scientists earned a median yearly salary of $63,490. In 2021, non-farm animal caregivers, such as zookeepers, earned a median salary of $28,080 (www.bls.gov), while veterinary technologists and technicians earned a median salary of $37,260 (www.bls.gov).

How to Determine if This Major Is Right for You

If you have a passion for animals, want to work in an animal-related business, or want to pursue medicine, this major might be for you. This major may be perfect for you if you want to manage a farm, for example, because it can prepare you to make financial strategies and assess the economic viability of items.

An animal science degree might provide the pre-health background for medical, veterinarian, dentistry, or nursing school if you are interested in providing preventive and wellness care to animals or people. This degree may also suit students who are analytical thinkers and problem solvers.

What Are Some Alternative Careers in the Same Field?

Plant science, conservation science, and environmental science are three scientific topics connected to animal science. Plant scientists, like many animal scientists, are classified as agriculture and food scientists, although they focus on improving the productivity of agricultural crops rather than livestock. Parks, woods, and other environmentally protected regions are monitored and managed by conservation experts. Analyzing soil, plant life, and animals is part of this process. Environmental scientists research strategies to protect the environment and the health of the world. While a bachelor’s degree can lead to entry-level work in any of these professions, independent study frequently necessitates a doctoral degree.

What Can I Do With a Major in Animal Science?

While veterinary medicine is one of the most popular career paths for animal science degrees, graduates go on to work in a range of animal-related disciplines, including farm management, zookeeping, dairy production and management, and wildlife conservation. Those who pursue a biomedical track within an animal science degree may pursue jobs as doctors, nurses, dentists, or physician assistants in non-animal-related industries.

Some animal science majors may choose to pursue research and policy jobs, such as working for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Advanced study is another option for animal science majors. Some graduates go on to get master’s or doctorate degrees in order to teach or conduct research in fields like biology, genetics, nutrition, and animal management.

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Conservation officer is a career option for animal science majors.

Animals and their environments are inseparably intertwined. We must protect the latter in order to protect the former. This is where the role of conservation officers comes into play. These experts use a variety of methods to manage, maintain, and develop environmental regions, including hands-on conversation work, publicity, and scientific monitoring. They’re also used by a variety of organizations, including charities, local governments, wildlife trusts, government agencies, conservation organizations, and more.

Veterinary medicine is the practice of treating animals.

One of the traditional occupations for animal science majors is veterinary medicine. A veterinary medicine doctorate is required, as well as postsecondary training in chemistry, biology, zoology, physiology, microbiology, and anatomy.

According to Veterinary Practice News, while veterinary work is difficult, it also has numerous intangible benefits. Receiving love and gratitude from pets and their owners; working with all of your senses; enjoying working in a complex environment; valuing and respecting the profession’s ethical responsibilities; thriving at overcoming challenges; lifelong learning; and the development of stress management skills are some of these.

Become animal trainer for cinema and television productions

If working on a movie set sounds like the ideal opportunity to combine your passion for animals with your interest in the film industry, animal training for films and productions could be a practical alternative. However, there are a few things you should know before taking this path. To begin with, animal training is a difficult industry to break into, and once you do, there are few jobs available — and less by the day, as digital technology increasingly replaces real animals. As a result, competition for these positions is increasing.

Second, it’s not all flash and glam: movie animal trainers often work long hours in challenging conditions, and the training process necessitates a great deal of patience and attention. It entails more than simply educating an animal to execute or finish certain tasks. Animal trainers must be familiar with the rules and regulations governing animal care and welfare. They must keep the animal’s, the humans dealing with the animal’s, and their own safety at the forefront of their minds. They must be able to explain the capabilities – as well as the limits – of specific breeds or species to producers and industry managers who may have unrealistic expectations.