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Animal Science Degree in Killeen, TX — Salary & ROI 2026

Animal Science degree analysis for Killeen, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$43K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$53K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

7.6 yrs

in Killeen

Cost of Living

85.2

index (100 = avg)

Animal Science in Killeen, TX Overview

Killeen, Texas (pop. 153,095) has 6 colleges offering Animal Science programs. The local cost of living index of 85.2 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $585/month. Animal Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Animal Nutrition and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in Killeen is approximately $42,600.

Category

Agriculture

Local Colleges

6

Public Tuition

$10,900/yr

Private Tuition

$36,000/yr

Room & Board

$13,516/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$10,816/yr

Unemployment

3.8%

Graduation Rate

58%

Animal Science Salary in Killeen (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Killeen's cost of living index of 85.2 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,600($-7,400 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$52,824($-9,176 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$66,456($-11,544 vs national)

Note: National average Animal Science salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Killeen adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.

Animal Science ROI Calculator for Killeen

Estimate your return on investment for a Animal Science degree using local Killeen tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000

Killeen avg aid: $10,816/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$97,664

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,780

vs HS diploma in Killeen

ROI Payback Period

7.6 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Killeen

$200,536

Lifetime earnings premium ($298,200) minus total education cost ($97,664)

Student Loan Payoff for Animal Science in Killeen

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$97,664
Monthly Payment$1,109
Total Interest$35,411
% of Monthly Income31%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$97,664
Monthly Payment$1,911
Total Interest$16,990
Interest Savings$18,420

Colleges in Killeen for Animal Science

Killeen State University

public

$10,256/yr

$41,024 total

University of Killeen

public

$10,971/yr

$43,884 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Killeen Community College

$5,619/yr

Top Employers for Animal Science in Killeen

Killeen offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Animal Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

USDAZoetisPurinaVeterinary ClinicsResearch Labs

Key Killeen Hiring Sectors for Agriculture

Agribusiness

Government agencies

Research institutes

Food companies

Conservation orgs

Common Animal Science Job Titles

Animal ScientistLivestock ManagerPharmaceutical Sales Rep

Animal Science Degree in Killeen — 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 Killeen.

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