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Animal Sciences at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,515/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

Job Market Large (99,000 openings/yr)

ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #72 of 81 Animal Sciences programs

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)	10.2x	10.1x	9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.3x	4.3x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	42%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	31	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$53,936

Out-of-state: $127,896 (4.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,436

-34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,265

9.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,966

92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,515/yr fall 22% below the $33,901 national median for Animal Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Animal Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Animal Sciences's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,265 represents roughly 9 months of the $26,515 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #72 of 81 Animal Sciences programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $50,966 show a 92% jump from the $26,515 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

With a 46% acceptance rate, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is moderately selective, with 28,763 students enrolled in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Animal Sciences at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?

A score of 31/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Animal Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Animal Sciences careers?

With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $502,683 in decade earnings vs $549,779 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Animal Sciences from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →