Animal Sciences at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

UT-Knoxville's Animal Sciences program starts graduates at a concerning $26,515—nearly $8,000 below the national median and significantly trailing Middle Tennessee State's $33,788. While this ranks just 40th percentile among Tennessee's three programs, the broader national picture is more troubling: this falls in the 5th percentile nationwide, meaning 95% of comparable programs produce better initial earnings. For a flagship state university with competitive admissions (1304 SAT average), these outcomes should give families pause about the return on investment.

The program's saving grace is strong earnings growth, with income jumping 35% to $35,670 by year four. This brings graduates closer to national norms, though they're still playing catch-up from that weak starting point. The debt load of $21,693 is manageable in absolute terms—representing about 82% of first-year income—but that ratio only looks reasonable because both the debt *and* earnings are low. Graduates are spending their early twenties making less than $30,000 while servicing student loans.

The core issue here is simple: if your child is passionate about animal sciences, they'll likely find better-paying opportunities at other programs. Even within Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State delivers 27% higher starting salaries. This isn't about avoiding the field entirely—it's about recognizing that this particular program underperforms both its peers and what prospective students might expect from a flagship university's degree.