Animal Sciences at Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Texas A&M-Kingsville graduates with animal sciences degrees earn barely $20,000 in their first year—roughly $11,000 less than the state median and $14,000 below the national average for this program. This places the program in the 10th percentile statewide, meaning nine out of ten comparable programs in Texas deliver better outcomes. Even accounting for Kingsville's high percentage of Pell Grant recipients (55%), these numbers signal serious concerns about post-graduation job placement or the types of positions graduates are securing.

The debt picture compounds the problem. While $25,000 isn't catastrophic compared to national norms, it exceeds what graduates earn in their entire first year. That 1.25 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates will face immediate financial strain. For context, Texas A&M-College Station's animal sciences program—with the same base curriculum and career paths—delivers starting earnings of $35,582, nearly double what Kingsville graduates report.

If your child is set on animal sciences, other Texas options provide substantially better value without requiring elite credentials. Even regional alternatives like Stephen F Austin deliver 55% higher starting salaries. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to attend Kingsville specifically—location, family obligations, or unique program features—the earnings data suggests looking elsewhere. This isn't about prestige; it's about ensuring your child can reasonably manage their debt on the salaries this particular program historically generates.