Animal Sciences at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

UNH's Animal Sciences program places graduates at nearly identical earnings to the national median ($33,213 vs. $34,073), but what matters more is the debt picture: at $27,000, students here borrow about $5,000 more than the typical animal sciences grad nationwide. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means graduates owe roughly 10 months of their first year's salary—manageable, but tighter than the national average for this field. Being the only Animal Sciences bachelor's program in New Hampshire limits in-state comparisons, though the relatively low debt percentile (5th nationally) suggests most programs elsewhere keep borrowing even lower.

The real context here is that animal sciences careers typically start modestly across the country, with many graduates pursuing veterinary school, research positions, or farm management roles that build earning potential over time. First-year salaries in the low-30s are standard for this field. The 87% admission rate and moderate debt load make this accessible for students genuinely committed to animal-focused careers.

For families evaluating this investment: if your child is using this degree as a stepping stone to veterinary or graduate school, the manageable debt matters more than the starting salary. If they're planning to work immediately after graduation, understand that $33,000 salaries mean living frugally in the early years. The small sample size here also warrants caution—these numbers could shift considerably with more graduate data.