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Agriculture · Animal Sciences Rank #16 of 81

Animal Sciencesat Michigan State University

Graduates earn $41,292/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national Animal Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $555K; scenarios range from $512K to $563K depending on AI disruption.

East Lansing, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
46 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,292
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$555K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
44% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Michigan State University

At $41,292 per year, Animal Sciences graduates from Michigan State University earn slightly above the $33,901 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

A 8.7x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Animal Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,023 against $41,292/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Michigan State University ranks #16 among 81 Animal Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 44% earnings increase from $41,292 to $59,436 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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
$512K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple8.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$555K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple8.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$563K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple8.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Michigan State University'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 Michigan State University 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
California State University-Fresno
CA · Public
54
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
20.0x
ROI
Also at Michigan State University

Other top programs at Michigan State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Michigan 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Animal Sciences at Michigan State University

What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Animal Sciences at Michigan State University?

At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Animal Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Animal Sciences at Michigan State University?

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 Michigan State University one of the best schools for Animal Sciences?

Among 81 Animal Sciences programs, Michigan State University's #16 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.