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Animal Sciences at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,209/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Large (99,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 81 Animal Sciences programs Top 25%

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 $547K $541K $501K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.8x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.4x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 42% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,654
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $40,209 per year, Animal Sciences graduates from University of Maryland-College Park earn slightly above the $33,901 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 11.8x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$40,209 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #9 out of 81 programs, University of Maryland-College Park's Animal Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,209 to $56,654 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-College Park accepts 45% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 30,246 in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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 Massachusetts-Amherst ($40,008)

Other Majors at University of Maryland-College Park

Computer Science ($99,756) Computer Engineering ($95,847) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,500) Chemical Engineering ($81,777) Engineering, Other ($80,931) Mathematics ($79,129) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,631) Civil Engineering ($76,731)

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 University of Maryland-College Park's Animal Sciences program score?
This program scores 48/100 — 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 does University of Maryland-College Park rank so high for Animal Sciences?
The #9 ranking out of 81 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →