Animal Sciences at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,464/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Large (99,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 81 Animal Sciences programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Animal Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $646K $631K $571K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.5x 16.1x 14.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.9x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,260
Out-of-state: $106,320 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,004
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,719
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,455
72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Mississippi State University's Animal Sciences graduates start at $41,464/yr — above the $33,901 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Animal Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Animal Sciences's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,719 in median debt clears quickly against $41,464 in annual earnings.

Ranked #1 of 81 Animal Sciences programs nationally, Mississippi State University sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $71,455 show a 72% jump from the $41,464 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Mississippi State University

A 76% acceptance rate means Mississippi State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 18,092 students in Mississippi State, MS.

See all programs and financial aid at Mississippi State University →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr
Animal scientists $79,120/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Animal Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Mississippi State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Animal Sciences at Mississippi State University?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Animal Sciences field.
Will AI replace Animal Sciences careers?
With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $570,848 in decade earnings vs $646,395 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Mississippi State University's Animal Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 81 programs nationally, Mississippi State University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →