Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other.: The DTI for this program is 52.7%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $43389) to the average debt ($22845) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 52.7%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($43389) against the typical student debt ($22845), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $43389, with grads carrying about $22845 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.53—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 700 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other (CIP 01.9999) is a multi-disciplinary category for programs that integrate multiple branches of life sciences to solve the modern challenges of food production and animal health. This "Other" designation is often used for cutting-edge fields such as cellular agriculture (lab-grown meat), precision ag-tech, agricultural robotics, or global food security systems. It is designed for students who want to bridge the gap between traditional farming and the high-tech future of biology and engineering.
This field is ideal for "agricultural innovators"—individuals who want to rethink how we feed a planet of 8 billion people while minimizing the environmental footprint of farming.
What Is an Agricultural and Veterinary Science (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the scientific and technological advancement of the entire agricultural sector. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs are often at the frontier of the industry. You might study how CRISPR gene editing can create drought-resistant crops, or how AI and computer vision can monitor the health of thousands of livestock animals simultaneously. It is a STEM-heavy path that views the farm as a sophisticated biological laboratory.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Ag-Tech" specialists who can manage automated and robotic farming systems
- Develop researchers in One Health—the study of how animal, human, and environmental health are connected
- Prepare professionals for the burgeoning field of alternative proteins and vertical farming
- Study the "Microbiome" of soil and animals to increase productivity without chemicals
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to apply the most advanced tools of biotechnology and engineering to the oldest human industry: agriculture.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Genetic and Molecular Analysis to improve plant and animal traits
- Use "Big Data" to optimize irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting schedules
- Perform veterinary diagnostic techniques to identify emerging zoonotic diseases
- Understand the engineering of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) like hydroponics
- Analyze the economic and carbon "Life Cycle" of food production systems
- Manage complex laboratory equipment for testing soil health and animal nutrition
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a diverse blend of biology, data science, and mechanical engineering:
- Biotechnology in Agriculture: Learning to edit genomes for better yields and nutrition.
- Animal Physiology and Pathobiology: The deep science of how livestock grow and stay healthy.
- Precision Agriculture: Using drones, satellites, and GPS to manage land at the square-inch level.
- Food System Resilience: Designing supply chains that can withstand climate change and pandemics.
- Veterinary Public Health: Preventing the spread of diseases from animals to humans.
- Robotics and Automation: Designing the machines that will plant, weed, and harvest the future.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates work in roles that require high-level scientific expertise and a "future-forward" mindset.
Common job roles include:
- Ag-Tech Consultant: Advising farms on how to implement robotics and data analytics.
- Plant/Animal Geneticist: Working in labs to develop more resilient and nutritious food sources.
- Alternative Protein Researcher: Developing lab-grown meat or plant-based dairy products.
- Veterinary Research Scientist: Studying animal diseases to create new vaccines or treatments.
- Sustainability Director (Agribusiness): Leading a company’s efforts to achieve "Net Zero" farming.
- Precision Agriculture Specialist: Managing the software and hardware for automated farming fleets.
Where Can You Work?
Specialists in this field are found at the intersection of biology and technology:
- Agribusiness Giants: Companies like Bayer, Cargill, or John Deere.
- Biotech and "Food-Tech" Startups: Innovating in areas like vertical farming or cultured meat.
- Government Research Labs: The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) or state agricultural departments.
- Global NGOs: Organizations working on hunger and development like the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization).
- Veterinary Pharmaceutical Companies: Developing the next generation of animal health products.
How Much Can You Earn?
Salaries are often higher than traditional farming roles because of the high demand for STEM expertise in food production.
- Agricultural Engineers/Scientists: Median annual salary of approximately $75,000–$95,000.
- Animal/Plant Geneticists: Salaries typically range from $85,000 to $120,000.
- Ag-Tech Software Specialists: Median annual salary of around $95,000–$130,000.
- Food Science Researchers: Salaries often range from $70,000 to $95,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the scientific versatility. You must be proficient in Organic Chemistry and Biology, but you also need to understand mechanical engineering and computer science. It requires an "inventor’s mind"—the ability to see how a piece of software or a genetic edit can solve a problem in a muddy field. The workload is heavy in both laboratory hours and data analysis.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love science and technology but don't want to be stuck in an office or a traditional hospital
- Are fascinated by "how things are made," especially the food we eat
- Want a career that solves global problems like hunger and climate change
- Enjoy working with both living things (plants/animals) and "high-tech" tools
- Are interested in the "cutting edge" of biology, such as CRISPR or synthetic meat
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science
- Join a 4-H or FFA chapter, particularly those focused on "Ag-Science" or "Ag-Tech"
- Experiment with "Smart Gardening" kits or learn the basics of Python for data analysis
- Volunteer at a local animal clinic, farm, or biotech laboratory
- Read about "Vertical Farming" and "Precision Ag" to understand the direction of the industry
The ability to apply advanced science and technology to create a more efficient, ethical, and sustainable food system is the hallmark of a successful ag-science professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor