Animal Science Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026
Animal Science degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Jackson
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Animal Science in Jackson, MS Overview
Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Animal Science programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Animal Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Animal Nutrition and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $46,500.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$8,684/yr
Private Tuition
$27,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,839/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,629/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
62%
Animal Science Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Animal Science salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Animal Science ROI Calculator for Jackson
Estimate your return on investment for a Animal Science degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400
Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,092
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,950
vs HS diploma in Jackson
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jackson
$239,408
Lifetime earnings premium ($325,500) minus total education cost ($86,092)
Student Loan Payoff for Animal Science in Jackson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jackson for Animal Science
Jackson State University
public
$8,684/yr
$34,736 total
Belhaven University
private
$27,400/yr
$109,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hinds Community College
$3,300/yr
Top Employers for Animal Science in Jackson
Jackson offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Animal Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Animal Science Job Titles
Animal Science in Nearby Mississippi Cities
Other Agriculture Majors in Jackson
Animal Science Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.