Animal Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,729/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Large (99,000 openings/yr)
ROI
8.5x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
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 | $529K | $525K | $488K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 8.5x | 8.5x | 7.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.6x | 3.6x | 3.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 42% | 33% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 31 | 30 | 28 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (3.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,456
72% growth from Year 1
About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's 57% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 30,435 students in Blacksburg, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →Top Career Paths
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
$87,980/yr
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
$86,350/yr
Animal scientists
$79,120/yr
Compare & Explore
Animal Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Animal Sciences program score?
This program scores 30/100 — 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 are Animal Sciences earnings lower at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Lower starting pay at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →