K-State ASI Enrollment Reaches All-Time High

The Kansas State University (K-State) Animal Sciences & Industry (ASI) major is celebrating a record-breaking year, with undergraduate enrollment reaching an all-time high of 1,056 students, a 12.4% increase from last year. This includes a record number of 349 new students. Combined with dual major, graduate, and certificate students in animal and food sciences, the Department’s total enrollment stands at 1,342 students.

This year’s undergraduate population reflects the major’s national reach, with 530 in-state students and 526 out-of-state. This balance highlights ASI’s reputation for attracting top students from across Kansas and the country.

“A degree in Animal Sciences & Industry is incredible versatile and high value,” says Dr. Cassie Jones, K-State ASI teaching coordinator. “K-State’s program is one of the most accessible in the country, with more than 87% of freshmen applicants being admitted; this is a hallmark of being a land-grant institution whose mission is to teach the people and meet the needs of the state’s economy.”

Jones goes on to point out, “We have 170 more students in the animal science major than we had two years ago but have been able to maintain student retention rates and employability, with 96% of graduates employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation. We know there are tremendous workforce needs in the state; we take seriously our charge to recruit and train talent to be the leaders of the animal agriculture industry.”

K-State has been rated No. 1 at Collegeraptor.com as the “Best College for Animal Sciences, General in the U.S.” for the past two years. Dr. Mike Day, K-State ASI department head, explains, “Our growth is a testament to both our investment in recruiting to bring students to K-State and the approach we take after they begin their college journey. We make a concerted effort to ensure that prospective students have excellent experiences the moment they step on campus and feel like they have a home. This journey often begins well before students enroll, especially for Kansans, as we host a wide range of youth events throughout the year, engaging participants of all ages. After beginning their degree, the excellence of our faculty and staff, accessibility of animal units adjacent to campus, available leadership opportunities, and guidance to explore and fulfill career ambitions, are some of the factors that help us train the next generation of animal scientists.”

Beyond the department’s dedication to teaching, the enrollment increase also reflects ASI’s commitment to research and extension. A priority of the program is to keep exceptional faculty who maintain nationally recognized research and/or extension programs in the classroom. Their relevance outside the classroom enriches the student learning experience. ScholarGPS.com currently ranks K-State as eighth in the U.S. in Animal Sciences research.

Jones summarizes, “Our students benefit from having faculty like Dr. Bob Goodband teaching classes like Domestic Animal Nutrition. Goodband is one of the top research faculty in the country and is directly engaged in industry-relevant research and extension activities. Students leave with not just a knowledge of basic animal nutrition, but an appreciation for its application in the industry and to their future careers.”