Animal Sciencesat Cornell University
Graduates earn $36,204/yr in their first year — about 7.0% above the national Animal Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $520K; scenarios range from $484K to $523K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cornell University
While the Ivy League name opens doors, your path after studying Animal Sciences at Cornell is uniquely practical. The program is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, New York's land-grant institution, which means it’s deeply connected to the state's massive dairy and agricultural industries. This creates a powerful pipeline into management roles at major food producers like Cargill or Chobani, as well as into crucial research and extension work that supports the region's economy. Many graduates pursue veterinary or other advanced degrees, which delays peak earnings but leads to high-paying, specialized careers. The moderate initial salary figures reflect these diverse outcomes—some grads go straight into hands-on farm management, while others enter long-term academic tracks. To maximize your investment, actively use the deep alumni network in agribusiness leadership from day one; it's one of the program's most valuable, unlisted assets.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Animal Sciences
How Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cornell University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, 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 →Frequently asked about Animal Sciences at Cornell University
How does Cornell University's Animal Sciences program score?
This program scores 26/100 — on the lower end for Animal Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
How affordable is Animal Sciences at Cornell University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $264,056, but the average net cost is $129,348 — a 51% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.