Animal Sciences at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,349/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Large (99,000 openings/yr)
ROI 18.3x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 81 Animal Sciences programs Top 10%

Program Analysis

Cal Poly Pomona’s “learn-by-doing” philosophy is central to your strong earning potential in this field. You won’t just be in a lecture hall; you’ll gain practical experience at the university's own livestock units and agricultural facilities, which is a major advantage with employers. Your location is also key: you're on the edge of the massive Southern California urban market while still connected to the state's powerful agricultural industry, creating diverse job opportunities from zoo management to food production. This program sets you up for management-track roles in agribusiness or for competitive entry into graduate veterinary programs. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue internships with major California producers like Foster Farms or Harris Ranch, or with local veterinary clinics, to build a professional network before you even graduate.

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 $550K $544K $503K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.5x 18.3x 16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 7.0x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,167
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,089
50% growth from Year 1

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

A 74% acceptance rate means California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 24,271 students in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →

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 State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Animal Sciences program score?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Animal Sciences graduates.
How vulnerable is Animal Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Animal Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →