What do you study in an animal science program?
Most programs combine biology, chemistry, genetics, nutrition, reproduction and animal behavior with hands-on labs at a university farm. Students also take courses in business, communication and sometimes meat science or dairy science, depending on the school.
Look at the course list of any program you consider. Some lean toward production agriculture, some toward research and pre-veterinary preparation, and some toward business. The right fit depends on what you want to do after graduation.
Many programs also require an internship or capstone project. If yours offers one, treat it as a trial run for a career, because the contacts and skills you gain there often shape what you do next.
- Animal nutrition and feed science
- Genetics and reproduction
- Anatomy and physiology
- Animal behavior and welfare
- Agricultural economics and communication
Is an animal science degree only for people who want to be vets?
No. Pre-veterinary students often choose animal science, but many graduates go straight into jobs. Others continue to graduate school in nutrition, genetics or physiology, or enter professional programs in other fields.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook lists related occupations such as agricultural and food scientists and zoologists. Check current pay and outlook there, because those figures vary by job and year.
What careers do graduates enter?
Typical paths include feed and animal health sales, livestock nutrition, herd management, breeding and genetics, reproduction services, quality assurance, extension education, animal welfare auditing and food industry roles. Some graduates return to run a family farm with a stronger science background.
This guide does not list openings. To learn what employers in your region value, ask local producers, extension staff and ag teachers what skills they look for.
Do not overlook the skills that do not appear in a course title. Writing clearly, speaking confidently and working with a team are the abilities employers mention most often when they talk about new graduates.
- Livestock production and herd management
- Nutrition and feed industry
- Genetics and breeding programs
- Animal health companies and sales
- Extension and teaching
- Quality assurance and food industry roles
How do you choose the right college?
Compare programs on College Navigator from the National Center for Education Statistics. Look at class sizes, farm and lab facilities, internship options and whether the school has a strong relationship with local employers. Visit if you can, and ask to speak with current students.
Land-grant universities have long agricultural traditions and extension connections. Community colleges can also be a cost-conscious start, but confirm how credits transfer before you enroll.
Ask each school about job placement support and alumni connections in the field you like. A department that knows local employers can make introductions that a website cannot.
What can you do in high school to prepare?
Take biology, chemistry and math, and add ag classes that involve animals. A supervised agricultural experience, whether a market project or work at a farm, gives you something concrete to describe in applications.
Join FFA or 4-H and take part in activities such as livestock judging, record keeping or public speaking. Colleges and employers see those as evidence of discipline and communication.
If you are unsure what to do with your time, ask yourself what you enjoy most about animals: the science, the business, the teaching or the outdoors. Your answer points toward the best programs.
- Keep clear project records
- Practice speaking in front of groups
- Ask a university extension office about youth programs
How do you pay for college without getting scammed?
Start with the FAFSA at studentaid.gov and your school's financial aid office. Many universities offer scholarships specifically for agriculture students, and organizations such as FFA and 4-H list options on their own sites. Never pay a fee to apply for aid or to have someone find scholarships for you, and read the FTC's scholarship scam guidance.
Do not rely on amounts you see in rumors or old posts. Confirm every figure and deadline on the official page of the school or sponsor.
What questions should you ask an advisor?
Ask which internships past students completed, where recent graduates work, and how flexible the degree is if your interests change. Ask whether the program offers pre-vet advising if that is a possibility, and what extra courses vet schools usually expect.
Be honest about your goals, even if they are unclear. Advisors help best when they know what you enjoy.
It also helps to ask what graduates wish they had done differently as undergraduates. Their answers often point to internships, extra math or networking that made a lasting difference.
Your next steps
- Animal science leads to many careers, not only veterinary medicine.
- Compare programs for hands-on facilities, internships and transfer options.
- Use FAFSA and official school sources for aid, and never pay to find scholarships.
- Check BLS for current pay and outlook, and ask local employers which skills they value.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Ag Jobs & Careers Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.