Best colleges for Agricultural Production Operations in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Kirkwood Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College and Iowa State University award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees and certificates in Iowa: 96, 47 and 34 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Iowa colleges offer Agricultural Production Operations and award 323 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Agricultural Production Operations program focuses on the essential practices of cultivating soil, planting, and harvesting crops, as well as managing livestock. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public · Associate degree | $42,392 | 96 | 43% | — | $10,000 |
| 2 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar Public · Certificate | $38,924 | 26 | 51% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees in Iowa
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public | 96 | $42,392 |
| 2 | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville Public | 47 | Not reported |
| 3 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 4 | Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 5 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar Public | 26 | $38,924 |
| 6 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 7 | Southeastern Community College West Burlington Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 8 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 10 | Dordt University Sioux Center Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Iowa colleges offering Agricultural Production Operations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharishi International University (Online) | Fairfield | Private not-for-profit | 21 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Public | 1 |
| Southwestern Community College | Creston | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers (SOC 11-9013).
Top skills
What Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Agricultural Production Operations programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees?+
Kirkwood Community College (96 graduates a year), Iowa Lakes Community College (47 graduates a year) and Iowa State University (34 graduates a year) award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Iowa colleges offer Agricultural Production Operations.
Which Agricultural Production Operations program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Kirkwood Community College tops the list at $42,392. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers in Iowa is $83,670 (median $77,930), across about 180 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Agricultural Production Operations program?+
The Agricultural Production Operations program focuses on the essential practices of cultivating soil, planting, and harvesting crops, as well as managing livestock. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers?+
The national job outlook is about -1.3% growth with around 85,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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