Animal Sciencesat University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Graduates earn $39,064/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Animal Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $533K; scenarios range from $494K to $537K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Nebraska
While the earnings figures are strong, they don't capture the full picture of your career trajectory here. As a flagship land-grant university in the heart of "beef country," Nebraska offers a direct pipeline into the modern agricultural industry. You aren't just learning theory; you're immersed in a world where major employers like Tyson, Cargill, and JBS, plus leading animal health companies, are part of the local economic fabric and recruit heavily on campus. The program’s strength lies in preparing you for the business and science of agriculture—genetics, nutrition, and operations management—not just farm work. This focus on the technical side leads to management and research roles that are more resilient than the high AI-risk score might suggest. Your key to maximizing this degree is to actively pursue internships with these corporate partners to build a professional network before you even graduate.
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 University of Nebraska'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 University of Nebraska stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Nebraska
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nebraska, 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 University of Nebraska
How does University of Nebraska-Lincoln'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.
Why does University of Nebraska-Lincoln rank so high for Animal Sciences?
The #10 ranking out of 81 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.