Compare 5 Animal Health. programs in California. Average earnings: $46,422.
The highest-earning Animal Health program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $11K earnings gap across 5 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Animal Health program leads with graduates earning $52,909. The average across all programs is $46,422, yet Cal Poly SLO achieves this despite a competitive 30% admission rate, while California State University-Fresno delivers strong $46,801 outcomes with 96% acceptance.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. California State University-Fresno graduates borrow $14,505 and face just an 8.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making it the clear affordability winner.
Highest program earnings: $52,909
Strong outcomes with 96% acceptance
8.2% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
16.0% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $52,909 | 174 | $18,500 | Good | $35,000 | High | |
| #2 | $46,801 | 98 | $14,505 | Good | $12,050 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $45,225 | 107 | $16,000 | Good | $15,000 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $44,947 | 72 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $42,226 | 327 | $13,000 | Good | $25,733 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
