Michigan · Agricultural Production Operations

Best colleges for Agricultural Production Operations in Michigan

Ranked by graduate earnings

Michigan State University and Lake Superior State University award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees and certificates in Michigan: 54 and 2 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Michigan colleges offer Agricultural Production Operations and award 59 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…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 01.03
States offered
48
with a program page
Degrees / yr
59
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$35,978
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
$80,910
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public · Certificate
$35,9785481%—$11,000

Colleges awarding the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees in Michigan

Top 2 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public
54$35,978
2Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie Public
2Not reported
Show the other 1 Michigan colleges offering Agricultural Production Operations
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse CityPublic3

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers (SOC 11-9013).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-1.3%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~85,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$87,980
typically High school diploma or equivalent

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingMonitoringActive Learning

What Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn in Michigan

Jobs in Michigan
270
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$80,910
median $82,620
Best-paying metro
$85,000
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Related careers

Conservation Scientists
$74,140 avg · 820 jobs
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
$35,690 avg · 750 jobs
Soil and Plant Scientists
$75,210 avg · 570 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$59,010 avg · 500 jobs
Farm and Home Management Educators
$65,810 avg · 330 jobs
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
$80,910 avg · 270 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Agricultural Production Operations programs in Michigan.

Which Michigan colleges award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees?+

Michigan State University (54 graduates a year) and Lake Superior State University (2 graduates a year) award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Michigan colleges offer Agricultural Production Operations.

Which Agricultural Production Operations program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Michigan State University tops the list at $35,978. 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 Michigan?+

The average annual wage for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers in Michigan is $80,910 (median $82,620), across about 270 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).

Agricultural Production Operations in other statesNorth DakotaWashingtonUtahIowaNorth CarolinaSouth DakotaKentuckyConnecticut

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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