Animal Science Degree in Charleston, SC — Salary & ROI 2026
Animal Science degree analysis for Charleston, SC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Charleston
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Animal Science in Charleston, SC Overview
Charleston, South Carolina (pop. 150,277) has 9 colleges offering Animal Science programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,168/month. Animal Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Animal Nutrition and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in Charleston is approximately $51,500.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$13,659/yr
Private Tuition
$29,969/yr
Room & Board
$12,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,774/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
62%
Animal Science Salary in Charleston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Charleston's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Animal Science salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Charleston adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Animal Science ROI Calculator for Charleston
Estimate your return on investment for a Animal Science degree using local Charleston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,659 | Private avg: $29,969
Charleston avg aid: $7,774/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,084
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Charleston
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Charleston
$257,416
Lifetime earnings premium ($360,500) minus total education cost ($103,084)
Student Loan Payoff for Animal Science in Charleston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Charleston for Animal Science
College of Charleston
public
$12,622/yr
$50,488 total
The Citadel
public
$14,696/yr
$58,784 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trident Technical College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Animal Science in Charleston
Charleston offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Animal Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Charleston Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Animal Science Job Titles
Animal Science in Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other Agriculture Majors in Charleston
Animal Science Degree in Charleston — 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 Charleston.