Animal Science Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Animal Science degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Animal Science in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Animal Science programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Animal Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Animal Nutrition and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $53,500.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Animal Science Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Animal Science salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Animal Science ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Animal Science degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,050
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$282,260
Lifetime earnings premium ($374,500) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Animal Science in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Animal Science
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Animal Science in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Animal Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Animal Science Job Titles
Animal Science in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Agriculture Majors in Lexington
Animal Science Degree in Lexington — 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 Lexington.