Entry Level Salary
$33,765
Median Salary
$77,660
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
32.7%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,106,400
Entry (Early)
$33,765
Median (Prime)
$77,660
High (Prime)
$82,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-152k
+224k
+259k
$25k / yr
-242k
+134k
+170k
$50k / yr
-332k
+44k
+80k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
27
$25k / yr
Never
35
33
$50k / yr
Never
49
43
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-222%
124%
156%
$50k / yr
-153%
20%
37%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate34.8%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Veterinarians
11.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$125,510
openings
3,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.6%
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
6.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$38,936
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,526|$87,980
openings
85,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.3%
Management occupations
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$43,895
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Veterinary technologists and technicians
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$34,986|$45,980
openings
14,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.1%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,362|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Agricultural workers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$26,031
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$39,393|$36,020
openings
123,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2.8%
Postsecondary teachers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$20,822
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,773
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,290|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Registered nurses
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,516|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Animal caretakers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$30,000|$33,470
openings
74,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +12.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| animal sciences. | Undergrad Certificate | 1 | $29,970 - $29,970 |
| animal sciences. | Associate's Degree | 7 | $38,009 - $51,110 |
| animal sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 84 | $33,433 - $71,455 |
| animal sciences. | Master's Degree | 2 | $102,699 - $102,699 |