Animal Science Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Animal Science degree analysis for Albuquerque, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Albuquerque
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Animal Science in Albuquerque, NM Overview
Albuquerque is one of New Mexico's top college towns, with 40 institutions and a student population of 37,837. Public tuition averages $4,872/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Animal Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Animal Nutrition and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in Albuquerque is approximately $55,500.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
40
Public Tuition
$4,872/yr
Private Tuition
$14,580/yr
Room & Board
$13,830/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,246/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Animal Science Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Animal Science salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Animal Science ROI Calculator for Albuquerque
Estimate your return on investment for a Animal Science degree using local Albuquerque tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $4,872 | Private avg: $14,580
Albuquerque avg aid: $13,246/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$74,808
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Albuquerque
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Albuquerque
$313,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($388,500) minus total education cost ($74,808)
Student Loan Payoff for Animal Science in Albuquerque
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Albuquerque for Animal Science
University of New Mexico
public
$8,064/yr
$32,256 total
National American University
private
$14,580/yr
$58,320 total
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
public
$1,680/yr
$6,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central New Mexico Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Animal Science in Albuquerque
Albuquerque offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Animal Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Albuquerque Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Animal Science Job Titles
Animal Science in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Agriculture Majors in Albuquerque
Animal Science Degree in Albuquerque — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Animal Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Albuquerque.