Program Analysis
At $30,706/yr, Animal Sciences graduates from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale land near the $33,901 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
A 9.2x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.
The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Animal Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $21,936 against $30,706/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #70 ranking among 81 Animal Sciences programs places Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 44% earnings increase from $30,706 to $44,349 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.