Animal Sciences at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,879/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Large (99,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 81 Animal Sciences programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Animal Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $605K $594K $542K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.7x 13.4x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.8x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,117
83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,879/yr, roughly in line with the $33,901 national median for Animal Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Animal Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Animal Sciences's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,879 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #15 of 81 nationally, this is a top-5% Animal Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $62,117 show a 83% jump from the $33,879 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo accepts 30% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 21,521 in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr
Animal scientists $79,120/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Animal Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Animal Sciences at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Animal Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Animal Sciences careers?
With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $541,699 in decade earnings vs $605,078 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Animal Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #15 of 81 programs nationally, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →