Home Schools Fresno State Animal Sciences
Agriculture · Animal Sciences Rank #2 of 81

Animal Sciencesat California State University-Fresno

Graduates earn $40,311/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Animal Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $553K; scenarios range from $509K to $559K depending on AI disruption.

Fresno, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
54 AVERAGE
55
Optimistic
50
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,311
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$553K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
44% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Fresno State

Fresno State’s strength comes from its deep roots in California’s Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions on earth. You won't just be studying theory; you'll be immersed in the industry itself. The university operates its own farm laboratory, giving you direct, hands-on experience with livestock and food production that employers value. This practical focus creates a direct pipeline to careers with major regional players in dairy, beef, and poultry, from large-scale farm management to food processing with companies like Foster Farms or Cargill. The high automation risk in this field makes those hands-on management and scientific skills even more critical. To maximize your advantage, aggressively pursue internships with local agribusinesses; your practical experience, combined with the university's strong regional reputation, will be your most valuable asset upon graduation.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$509K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple18.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$553K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple19.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$559K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple20.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fresno State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Animal Sciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
-1.3% 10-yr growth · 85,500 openings/yr
$87,980/yr
Moderate
2
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$86,350/yr
High
3
Animal scientists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$79,120/yr
High
4
First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$59,330/yr
Low
5
Farm and home management educators
-2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$58,120/yr
Moderate
6
Agricultural technicians
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$46,790/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Animal Sciences

How Fresno State stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
WI · Public
52
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
14.4x
ROI
South Dakota State University
SD · Public
53
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
University of Wisconsin-Madison
WI · Public
51
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
11.7x
ROI
Top score
Mississippi State University
MS · Public
57
DW Score
$41K
1-yr earn
17.2x
ROI
University of Maryland-College Park
MD · Public
48
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
11.3x
ROI
Also at Fresno State

Other top programs at Fresno State

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fresno State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Animal Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Animal Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Animal Sciences at Fresno State

What does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Animal Sciences at California State University-Fresno?

At 54/100, California State University-Fresno's Animal Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Animal Sciences at California State University-Fresno?

The 42% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is California State University-Fresno one of the best schools for Animal Sciences?

Among 81 Animal Sciences programs, California State University-Fresno's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.