Animal Sciences at University of Maryland-College Park

UMD-College Park's Animal Sciences program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for graduate earnings—a remarkable achievement that puts it well ahead of most comparable programs. Graduates earn $40,209 in their first year, nearly $6,000 more than the national median for animal sciences majors, and see steady growth to $45,332 by year four. The $21,500 in median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, meaning graduates typically owe about half their first year's salary—a manageable burden by most standards.

The one complication here: UMD is the only school in Maryland offering this bachelor's degree, making state-level comparisons impossible. But the national benchmarking tells the important story. While many agricultural and life sciences programs struggle with low starting salaries, this program delivers earnings that meaningfully exceed both the national median and even the 75th percentile mark. The 13% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are building marketable skills and advancing in their careers rather than hitting an early ceiling.

For families considering this path, UMD offers a clear advantage over most animal sciences programs nationally. The combination of strong initial earnings, reasonable debt, and solid career momentum makes this a standout option for students committed to this field. The moderate sample size suggests stable placement patterns rather than a few outliers skewing the data.