Your gateway to a top-tier animal science education
With an estimated 2,800 animal scientists in the US and a projected job market growth of 3.6% between 2022 and 2032, now is a great time to pursue a degree in Animal Science.
If that’s your goal, Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is an excellent choice. The Department of Animal Science is among the nation’s best, known for its education, research, and outreach. Located in Iowa, a major agricultural hub, the department offers students unique hands-on learning opportunities directly tied to the region's top industry. You’ll be close to farms, research facilities, and agribusinesses — in which real-world experiences await, along with the latest practices and innovations.
This is a great way to prepare for careers in animal nutrition, genetics, livestock management, and more. With a 99% job placement rate within six months of graduation, Iowa State’s Animal Science grads are in high demand. About 30% of graduates go on to further education, like vet or graduate school, while occasionally others pursue careers in law or even chiropractic school.
To become one of them, you can major in Animal Science or Dairy Science or choose minors like Meat Science or Animal Science. Courses cover various topics like animal behaviour, nutrition, genetics, and reproduction, giving you a broad understanding of both livestock and companion animals.
The best part? You'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including farms featuring all of the primary species (cattle, dairy, swine, equine, sheep and poultry), a federally inspected meats lab, and the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, These resources allow you to put classroom learning into practice, following the university’s “Science with Practice” approach.
Even though Iowa State has one of the largest Animal Science departments in the US, you'll never feel like another number. Your programme can be personalised, with tailored advising to help you reach your career goals.
“The rest move into industry roles, like sales, pharmaceuticals, animal health, or advanced reproductive technologies like embryo transfer or in-vitro fertilisation,” says Dr. Jodi Sterle, Associate Chair of Teaching in the Department of Animal Science.
99%
BS in Animal Science
placement rate within six months of graduation
100%
placement rate within six months of graduation
BS in Dairy Science
Life after graduation is made easier with the help of Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services. With Iowa's booming agriculture industry, students have many opportunities to connect with professionals through internships, recruitment events, and the CALS Career Fair.
What’s more, the faculty and staff bring industry experts into the classroom, helping students build valuable relationships for their careers. Internships are encouraged as early as freshman year, giving you a solid start in the field, especially in the animal industry. This experience helps you shape your programme to match your interests and make informed career decisions.
Dynamic career services
As Mike Gaul, CALS Career Services Advisor, says, "To say our students are held in high regard by employers is truly an understatement. This is evident in the large number of organisations that attended our fall 2023 CALS Career Day — 293, to be exact, our largest event ever.”