Animal Sciences at University of Minnesota-Crookston

Minnesota-Crookston's Animal Sciences graduates start at $35,072, placing them above both the national and Minnesota medians for this field—a solid outcome for a program at a regional campus. More importantly, earnings climb 26% by year four to reach $44,237, suggesting graduates build valuable skills that translate into career advancement. The $21,500 in typical debt is actually lower than Minnesota's median for animal sciences programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 that should be repayable within a reasonable timeframe.

The caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, individual outcomes can swing the numbers. However, the program's position in the 60th percentile among Minnesota animal sciences programs—despite being the state's less prominent campus—suggests consistent quality. These graduates appear to be landing in the same agricultural and veterinary support roles as their Twin Cities counterparts, but with less debt burden.

For families considering this program, the combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings growth makes it a practical choice. The regional location likely connects students directly to Minnesota's agricultural employers, and the manageable debt load means graduates won't be forced into high-paying positions they don't want just to service loans.