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Animal Science Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$69K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$85K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.7 yrs

in Syracuse

Cost of Living

137

index (100 = avg)

Animal Science in Syracuse, NY Overview

Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Animal Science programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Animal Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Animal Nutrition and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $68,500.

Category

Agriculture

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$14,304/yr

Private Tuition

$57,750/yr

Room & Board

$19,896/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$16,141/yr

Unemployment

4%

Graduation Rate

62%

Animal Science Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,500(+$18,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$84,940(+$22,940 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$106,860(+$28,860 vs national)

Note: National average Animal Science salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.

Animal Science ROI Calculator for Syracuse

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

Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750

Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$136,800

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$20,550

vs HS diploma in Syracuse

ROI Payback Period

6.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Syracuse

$342,700

Lifetime earnings premium ($479,500) minus total education cost ($136,800)

Student Loan Payoff for Animal Science in Syracuse

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$1,553
Total Interest$49,600
% of Monthly Income27%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$2,677
Total Interest$23,799
Interest Savings$25,801

Colleges in Syracuse for Animal Science

Syracuse University

private

$57,750/yr

$231,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Onondaga Community College

$5,504/yr

Top Employers for Animal Science in Syracuse

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

USDAZoetisPurinaVeterinary ClinicsResearch Labs

Key Syracuse 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 Syracuse — 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.

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Compare Animal Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Syracuse.

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