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Animal Sciences at Sul Ross State University

Alpine, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,002/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Large (99,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #73 of 81 Animal Sciences programs

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 $413K $421K $406K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.6x 13.9x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 6.1x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,368
Out-of-state: $69,536 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,964
-45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,050
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,002 place Sul Ross State University below the $33,901 national median for Animal Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 13.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,050 debt-to-$28,002 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #73 out of 81 programs, Sul Ross State University's financial outcomes for Animal Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 1,378 students in Alpine, TX. Pell Grant recipients make up 52% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Sul Ross 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

Compare this program → View all 81 schools offering Animal Sciences →

Animal Sciences at Other Schools

University of Wisconsin-Platteville ($44,956) South Dakota State University ($44,844) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($44,354) Mississippi State University ($41,464) Michigan State University ($41,292) University of Delaware ($40,317) California State University-Fresno ($40,311) University of Maryland-College Park ($40,209)

Other Majors at Sul Ross State University

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($39,828) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($39,723) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($32,033) Biology, General ($31,629) Psychology, General ($28,156)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Animal Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Sul Ross State University's Animal Sciences program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Animal Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Animal Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Animal Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Animal Sciences earnings lower at Sul Ross State University?
Lower starting pay at Sul Ross State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →