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Top 10 Universities for Equine Studies in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Colorado State University
Direct answer

Colorado State University is the best university for equine studies, with a 120-credit B.S. in Equine Science and what it calls the most comprehensive equine program in the United States. Texas A&M (equine certificate and master’s) and the University of Kentucky (B.S. in Equine Science and Management) follow.

At a glance

#PickEquine degreeBest for
1Colorado State UniversityB.S. in Equine Science (120 credits)A full equine science major at a big public research university
2Texas A&M UniversityUndergraduate certificate in equine science (22 credits, open to any major)Pairing an animal science (or any) major with an equine certificate and a path to a master’s
3University of KentuckyB.S. in Equine Science and Management (120 credit hours)Studying the horse business in the heart of Kentucky horse country
4Middle Tennessee State UniversityB.S. in Horse ScienceCompetitive western, stock horse and judging teams
5William Woods UniversityB.S. in Equestrian Science, Equine Administration or Equine General StudiesRiding-heavy equestrian science with four riding disciplines on campus
6Otterbein UniversityB.S. Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies, B.S. Equine Veterinary Technology or B.A. Equine Business ManagementPre-vet and veterinary technology paths with horses
7University of FindlayB.S. in Equestrian Studies, with English or Western riding and training emphasesChoosing between English and Western riding and training
8Delaware Valley UniversityEquine Science (B.S.), with a pre-professional or equine breeding specializationHands-on horse breeding, foaling and young-stock work
9Centenary UniversityB.S. in Equine Studies or B.S. in Equine ScienceEquine study near New York City with a range of career tracks
10Lake Erie CollegeFive Equine Studies majorsA small college with a long equine history and therapeutic riding

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Colorado State University
Best for equine research
Texas A&M University
Best in horse country
University of Kentucky
Best for riding teams
Middle Tennessee State University
Best for pre-vet
Otterbein University
Best for breeding
Delaware Valley University

The ranking

1

Colorado State University

Colorado State University
Answrs VerdictThe most complete equine science major.
Equine degree: B.S. in Equine Science (120 credits)Location: Fort Collins, ColoradoProgram: The school says CSU has the most comprehensive equine program in the United StatesArena: B.W. Pickett Arena: a $5.2 million facility with an indoor arena the size of a football field and seating for 2,000

Colorado State in Fort Collins offers a 120-credit B.S. in Equine Science and says it runs the most comprehensive equine program in the United States. Its $5.2 million B.W. Pickett Arena has an indoor arena the size of a football field and seats 2,000.

Go ifA full equine science major at a big public research university
Skip ifYou want a small college with daily riding lessons
Why #1 over #2: A full equine science major, which Texas A&M offers only as a certificate.
2

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University
Answrs VerdictThe big equine research system.
Equine degree: Undergraduate certificate in equine science (22 credits, open to any major)Location: College Station, TexasGraduate degree: Equine Industry Management master’s degreeFacilities: $32 million Thomas G. Hildebrand DVM ’56 Equine Complex, built in 2014Institute: Texas A&M Institute for Equine Sciences, established in 2022

Texas A&M in College Station pairs a 22-credit undergraduate equine certificate, open to any major, with an Equine Industry Management master’s degree. The $32 million Hildebrand Equine Complex opened in 2014, and the Institute for Equine Sciences was set up in 2022.

Go ifPairing an animal science (or any) major with an equine certificate and a path to a master’s
Skip ifYou want a stand-alone equine bachelor’s degree
Why #2 over #3: A larger equine research system than Kentucky’s, with a master’s path.
3

University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky
Answrs VerdictHorse country’s equine degree.
Equine degree: B.S. in Equine Science and Management (120 credit hours)Location: Lexington, KentuckyHorse unit: 100+ acre horse unit on Maine Chance Farm, about six miles from campus, with about 100 horsesRequirement: Every student completes an applied equine project: an internship, service learning or research project

Kentucky’s B.S. in Equine Science and Management (120 credit hours) uses a 100+ acre horse unit on Maine Chance Farm, about six miles from campus, with about 100 horses. Every student completes an applied equine project.

Go ifStudying the horse business in the heart of Kentucky horse country
Skip ifYou want riding lessons built into the major
Why #3 over #4: A dedicated equine bachelor’s degree in Lexington horse country, beyond MTSU’s team focus.
4

Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University
Answrs VerdictThe competition-team powerhouse.
Equine degree: B.S. in Horse ScienceLocation: Murfreesboro, TennesseeEquestrian team: Students have won 19 national championship titles in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows AssociationStock Horse Team: 3-time American Stock Horse Association National ChampionsJudging team: A 35-year history of national championship wins and Top 10 awards at national intercollegiate horse judging contests

MTSU in Murfreesboro offers a B.S. in Horse Science. Its equestrian riders have won 19 national championship titles, its Stock Horse Team are 3-time American Stock Horse Association National Champions, and its judging team has a 35-year record of national wins.

Go ifCompetitive western, stock horse and judging teams
Skip ifYou want an English hunter/jumper focus
Why #4 over #5: A public university price point with national-title teams.
5

William Woods University

William Woods University
Answrs VerdictThe historic riding school.
Equine degree: B.S. in Equestrian Science, Equine Administration or Equine General StudiesLocation: Fulton, MissouriHistory: Equestrian science since 1924; the school says it was the first U.S. university to offer a four-year degree in equestrian scienceFacilities: Four heated barns with 130 box stalls, two heated indoor arenas and a 40-acre cross-country course

William Woods in Fulton, Missouri, has taught equestrian science since 1924 and offers three equine bachelor’s degrees. It has four heated barns with 130 box stalls, two heated indoor arenas and a 40-acre cross-country course.

Go ifRiding-heavy equestrian science with four riding disciplines on campus
Skip ifYou want a large research university
Why #5 over #6: More barn space (130 box stalls) than Otterbein’s 52-horse center.
6

Otterbein University

Otterbein University
Answrs VerdictThe pre-vet equine pick.
Equine degree: B.S. Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies, B.S. Equine Veterinary Technology or B.A. Equine Business ManagementLocation: Westerville, OhioEquine center: Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science: about 70 acres with stalls for 52 horses, two miles from the main campusOpened: Fall 2009

Otterbein in Westerville, Ohio, offers equine pre-veterinary, equine veterinary technology and equine business degrees at the Austin E. Knowlton Center: about 70 acres with stalls for 52 horses, two miles from campus, opened in fall 2009.

Go ifPre-vet and veterinary technology paths with horses
Skip ifYou want a western riding program
Why #6 over #7: Pre-vet and vet-tech equine degrees that Findlay does not list.
7

University of Findlay

University of Findlay
Answrs VerdictThe English-and-Western pick.
Equine degree: B.S. in Equestrian Studies, with English or Western riding and training emphasesLocation: Findlay, OhioFacilities: 52-acre James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex (English) and the 153-acre Western Farm, eight miles south of campusTitles: In 2001 Findlay won both the English and western IHSA national championships, the only school to win both the same year

Findlay offers a B.S. in Equestrian Studies with English or Western emphases, split between a 52-acre English complex and the 153-acre Western Farm. In 2001 it won both the English and western IHSA national championships.

Go ifChoosing between English and Western riding and training
Skip ifYou want a pure science degree
Why #7 over #8: Both English and Western riding programs, where DelVal focuses on breeding.
8

Delaware Valley University

Delaware Valley University
Answrs VerdictThe breeding-barn pick.
Equine degree: Equine Science (B.S.), with a pre-professional or equine breeding specializationLocation: Doylestown, PennsylvaniaEquestrian Center: 52 stall barn with an 84 x 280 indoor arenaBreeding center: 2-4 stallions, 25 mares and 10-15 foals per season

Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, offers an Equine Science B.S. with a breeding specialization. Its Equestrian Center has a 52 stall barn and an 84 x 280 indoor arena; its breeding center runs 2-4 stallions, 25 mares and 10-15 foals per season.

Go ifHands-on horse breeding, foaling and young-stock work
Skip ifYou want a western riding focus
Why #8 over #9: A working breeding center that Centenary does not offer.
9

Centenary University

Centenary University
Answrs VerdictThe New Jersey equestrian pick.
Equine degree: B.S. in Equine Studies or B.S. in Equine ScienceLocation: Hackettstown, New JerseyEquestrian Center: 65 acres of preserved farmland, about seven miles from the main campusConcentrations: Equestrian Media and Public Relations, Equine-Assisted Services, Equine Business Management, Equine Training and Instruction

Centenary in Hackettstown, New Jersey, offers B.S. degrees in Equine Studies and Equine Science, with concentrations from training and instruction to equine-assisted services. Its Equestrian Center sits on 65 acres about seven miles from campus.

Go ifEquine study near New York City with a range of career tracks
Skip ifYou want a big state university
Why #9 over #10: More degree concentrations than Lake Erie College’s five majors.
10

Lake Erie College

Lake Erie College
Answrs VerdictThe small-college classic.
Equine degree: Five Equine Studies majorsLocation: Painesville, OhioEquestrian Center: 86-acre George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center with a 100 x 200 foot main indoor arenaHistory: Equine Studies founded in 1955 by Laddie G. Andahazy; the college calls it the first four-year equine degree program in the U.S.Therapy: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center

Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, offers five Equine Studies majors at its 86-acre George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center, a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center with a 100 x 200 foot main indoor arena. Its program was founded in 1955.

Go ifA small college with a long equine history and therapeutic riding
Skip ifYou want a large university

How we ranked these

We ranked each school on the breadth of its equine degrees and the size of its hands-on horse facilities, using only what each school publishes on its own pages. Large research universities with equine science programs come first, then dedicated equine and equestrian colleges. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best university for equine studies?

Colorado State University, which offers a 120-credit B.S. in Equine Science and says it has the most comprehensive equine program in the United States.

Which school has the oldest equine degree program?

William Woods University has taught equestrian science since 1924 and says it was the first U.S. university to offer a four-year equestrian science degree; Lake Erie College says its 1955 program was the first four-year equine degree program.

Does Texas A&M have an equine science degree?

Texas A&M offers a 22-credit undergraduate certificate in equine science open to any major, plus an Equine Industry Management master’s degree.

How many horses does the University of Kentucky keep?

Its 100+ acre horse unit on Maine Chance Farm, about six miles from campus, routinely keeps about 100 horses.

Acres at the school’s equine center or horse unit at a glance

Centenary University65 acres
Otterbein University70 acres
Lake Erie College86 acres
University of Kentucky100 acres
Acres at the school’s equine center or horse unit, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.