Online animal science degrees used to be second-tier options. Not anymore. Several land-grant universities — the same institutions that defined American agriculture and veterinary science — now offer accredited online programs with the same faculty, same curriculum standards, and same diplomas as their on-campus versions.
The catch: animal science is inherently hands-on. You cannot learn to palpate a cow or restrain a frightened dog through a screen. Every legitimate online program handles this through some combination of local externships, intensive campus residencies, or hybrid lab components. The programs that do this well produce graduates who are fully competitive with on-campus peers. The programs that cut corners on practical training produce graduates with knowledge but no skills.
This review covers eight accredited programs at the bachelor’s and master’s level. Each was evaluated on accreditation status, faculty credentials, hands-on training requirements, tuition, and graduate outcomes.
How We Evaluated Programs
Five criteria, equally weighted:
- Accreditation: Regional accreditation from a recognized body (HLC, SACSCOC, NWCCU, etc.). No exceptions.
- Faculty: Courses taught by tenure-track or research-active faculty, not adjuncts recycling slides.
- Hands-on component: Documented practical training requirements — externships, labs, residencies.
- Tuition and financial aid: Total cost of the program, availability of in-state rates for online students, financial aid options.
- Graduate outcomes: Employment rates, graduate school acceptance rates, employer feedback where available.
Top Online Animal Science Programs
1. Oregon State University — Ecampus
Degree: BS in Animal Sciences (online)
Oregon State’s Ecampus animal sciences program is consistently ranked among the top online programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The program offers the same degree as the on-campus version, taught by the same faculty in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
- Tuition: $331 per credit (in-state and out-of-state pay the same rate for Ecampus). Total: approximately $39,720 for 120 credits.
- Hands-on: Students complete a supervised internship (minimum 240 hours) at an approved site near their location. Options include veterinary clinics, farms, research facilities, and animal shelters.
- Specializations: Pre-veterinary, livestock management, companion animal, equine
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Notable: One flat tuition rate regardless of residency. Strong advising support for online students. Pre-vet track includes all prerequisite courses for most DVM programs.
2. Colorado State University — Online
Degree: BS in Equine Science (online); MS in Animal Science — Integrated Resource Management (online)
Colorado State is a Tier 1 research university and one of 30 colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S. The animal science department has deep expertise across livestock, equine, and companion animal disciplines.
- Tuition: $475 per credit (undergraduate online). MS program: $626 per credit. Total BS: approximately $57,000. Total MS: approximately $21,000 for 33 credits.
- Hands-on: The undergraduate equine science degree requires a summer intensive on campus (2 weeks) plus an externship. The MS program includes a capstone project that can be completed at the student’s place of employment.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Notable: The MS in Integrated Resource Management is designed for working professionals in the livestock industry. Students apply concepts directly to their operations.
3. University of Florida — Online
Degree: BS in Animal Sciences (online)
UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers the full animal sciences bachelor’s degree online. The university’s strength in subtropical agriculture and equine science gives it particular value for students in the Southeast.
- Tuition: $129.18 per credit (in-state), $557.42 per credit (out-of-state). Total in-state: approximately $15,500. Total out-of-state: approximately $66,890.
- Hands-on: Required internship (3-6 credits) at an approved facility. UF’s extensive alumni network helps with placement.
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Notable: Florida residents get exceptional value. The program includes strong pre-vet advising and direct pipeline to UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
4. Penn State World Campus
Degree: BS in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences — Preveterinary-Biomedical Science option (online)
Penn State does not offer a pure animal science degree online, but the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences major through World Campus covers significant overlap and is a strong pre-vet pathway.
- Tuition: $596 per credit (flat rate for all students). Total: approximately $71,520 for 120 credits.
- Hands-on: Required research experience and internship, arranged at facilities near the student.
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Notable: Expensive but carries the Penn State name. Strong alumni network. World Campus students earn the same degree as on-campus students — the diploma does not indicate online delivery.
5. Texas A&M University — Online
Degree: MS in Animal Science (online)
Texas A&M’s Department of Animal Science is one of the largest and most research-productive in the country. The online MS program targets working professionals in the livestock, poultry, and animal health industries.
- Tuition: Approximately $700 per credit. Total: approximately $25,200 for 36 credits.
- Hands-on: Thesis option requires original research (can be conducted at the student’s workplace with faculty oversight). Non-thesis option includes a capstone project.
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Notable: Faculty research expertise in beef cattle, poultry science, meat science, and reproductive physiology. The Texas A&M name is gold in the livestock industry.
6. Murray State University
Degree: BS in Animal Science / Animal Technology (online)
Murray State, a regional university in Kentucky, offers an affordable online BS with options in animal technology and pre-veterinary studies.
- Tuition: $345 per credit hour (online rate). Total: approximately $41,400.
- Hands-on: Required practicum at an approved facility near the student.
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Notable: Strong equine and livestock focus reflecting the university’s Kentucky roots. More affordable than most land-grant options. Smaller class sizes with more faculty interaction.
7. University of Missouri — Online
Degree: BS in Animal Sciences (online completion)
Mizzou’s program is designed as a degree-completion pathway — students transfer in lower-division credits from community colleges or other institutions and complete upper-division animal science coursework online.
- Tuition: $353.70 per credit. Total for 60 upper-division credits: approximately $21,222.
- Hands-on: Capstone internship (minimum 320 hours) at an approved site.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Notable: Excellent value for transfer students. Strong connection to MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The degree-completion format allows students to start at a community college and finish at a research university.
8. Unity Environmental University (formerly Unity College) — Distance Education
Degree: BS in Animal Health and Behavior (online)
Unity transitioned to a fully online model and offers a unique program at the intersection of animal science and conservation.
- Tuition: $250 per credit. Total: approximately $30,000.
- Hands-on: Self-directed field experiences and capstone project. Less structured clinical component than land-grant programs.
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Notable: Strong environmental and conservation angle. Lower cost than most competitors. The animal health and behavior focus appeals to students interested in shelter work and behavior careers. Less depth in production animal science.
How to Choose the Right Program
Match the program to your career goal.
- Pre-vet students: Oregon State or University of Florida. Both offer complete pre-vet prerequisite tracks and strong connections to colleges of veterinary medicine.
- Livestock industry professionals: Texas A&M (MS) or Colorado State (MS). Both are built for working adults in the industry.
- Companion animal and behavior focus: Unity Environmental University or Oregon State’s companion animal specialization.
- Budget-conscious students: University of Florida (in-state) or University of Missouri (transfer pathway). Florida residents pay under $16,000 total. Missouri’s completion program costs $21,000 for upper-division work.
- Equine focus: Colorado State’s online equine science BS or Murray State.
For a deeper look at how online programs handle the hands-on challenge, read our distance learning in animal science guide. If you are weighing a degree in animal behavior specifically, our animal behavior degree guide covers program options at every level.
Red Flags in Online Programs
Avoid programs that:
- Lack regional accreditation (check the DAPIP database)
- Have no hands-on or clinical requirement — a fully theoretical animal science degree is incomplete
- Use only adjunct instructors with no research or professional credentials
- Cannot provide job placement or graduate outcome data
- Charge more than $700 per credit without the reputation or resources to justify it
- Promise “accelerated” completion in under 12 months for a bachelor’s degree without substantial transfer credit
Transfer Credits and Prior Learning
Most online students are not starting from zero. Transfer credit policies vary significantly:
- Oregon State Ecampus: Accepts up to 135 transfer credits (of 180 required on quarter system)
- University of Florida: Accepts up to 60 lower-division transfer credits
- University of Missouri: Designed for transfer — requires approximately 60 transfer credits for entry
- Penn State World Campus: Accepts up to 80 transfer credits (of 120 required)
Community college coursework in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and general education transfers well. Check articulation agreements between your community college and target university before enrolling in courses. This saves thousands of dollars and avoids credit-loss surprises.
Financial Aid for Online Students
Online students at accredited institutions qualify for the same federal financial aid as on-campus students:
- Pell Grant: up to $7,395 for 2025-2026
- Federal Direct Loans: $5,500-$12,500 per year depending on dependency status and year
- State grants: varies by state (some restrict to in-state schools)
- Employer tuition reimbursement: up to $5,250 tax-free annually
Complete the FAFSA regardless of whether you think you qualify. Many students leave money on the table by not applying. For more on financing online education, see our pillar guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online animal science degree as good as an on-campus degree?
From accredited programs, the degree itself is equivalent — same faculty, same standards, same diploma. The difference is in networking opportunities and hands-on exposure. On-campus students get daily access to university farms, clinics, and labs. Online students must arrange their own clinical experiences. Motivated online students who secure strong externship placements graduate fully competitive with on-campus peers.
Can I go to vet school with an online animal science degree?
Yes, if your program is accredited and you complete all prerequisite courses. Oregon State and University of Florida explicitly offer pre-vet tracks online. You will still need hands-on animal experience (veterinary hours, research, farm work) for competitive vet school applications. The online format does not disqualify you.
How much does an online animal science degree cost?
Range: $15,500 (University of Florida in-state) to $71,520 (Penn State World Campus). Most programs fall between $30,000 and $57,000 for a bachelor’s degree. Master’s programs cost $21,000 to $25,000 at Texas A&M and Colorado State. Financial aid, employer reimbursement, and transfer credits from community colleges significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Do online animal science programs require campus visits?
Some do. Colorado State’s equine science BS requires a two-week summer intensive on campus. Other programs (Oregon State, UF, Missouri) allow all practical requirements to be completed at approved sites near the student — no campus visit required. Check program-specific requirements before enrolling, especially if travel is a constraint.
Which online animal science program is best for working adults?
For bachelor’s degrees, Oregon State Ecampus (asynchronous, single tuition rate, flexible pacing) and University of Missouri (designed for transfer students). For master’s degrees, Texas A&M and Colorado State both built their online programs specifically for working professionals, with asynchronous coursework and applied capstone projects.
