Animal Sciencesat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $39,567/yr in their first year — about 17.0% above the national Animal Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $538K; scenarios range from $498K to $544K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State's reputation in agriculture isn't just regional; it's global. You’re not just studying in farm country; you're at the epicenter of the modern agribusiness industry. The strong earnings reflect direct pipelines to major employers like Tyson Foods, Cargill, and leading animal pharmaceutical companies that actively recruit on campus for roles in genetics, nutrition, and production management. These corporate paths often offer more stability and higher starting pay than traditional farm work. While AI is changing herd management and data analysis, your hands-on experience from ISU’s teaching farms will remain critical. To maximize your value, focus on internships that blend animal care with business or data analytics. This combination will make you a prime candidate for leadership roles that technology can augment but never fully replace, ensuring your skills remain in high demand.
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 Iowa State 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 Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Iowa State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State 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 Iowa State University
How does Iowa State University's Animal Sciences program score?
This program scores 48/100 — 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.