Best colleges for Agricultural Production Operations in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Wilkes Community College and Wayne Community College award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 48, 40 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 North Carolina colleges offer Agricultural Production Operations and award 253 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 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Associate degree | $35,198 | 48 | 85% | — | $12,000 |
| 2 | University of Mount Olive Mount Olive Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,737 | 7 | 52% | $16,473 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees in North Carolina
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 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 48 | $35,198 |
| 2 | Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro Public | 40 | Not reported |
| 3 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 4 | Carteret Community College Morehead City Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lenoir Community College Kinston Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 6 | Cleveland Community College Shelby Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 7 | Sampson Community College Clinton Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 8 | Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | James Sprunt Community College Kenansville Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 10 | Central Carolina Community College Sanford Public | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 6 North Carolina colleges offering Agricultural Production Operations
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surry Community College | Dobson | Public | 10 |
| University of Mount Olive | Mount Olive | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Warren Wilson College | Swannanoa | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale | Public | 5 |
| Martin Community College | Williamston | Public | 5 |
| Montgomery Community College | Troy | Public | 3 |
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 North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Agricultural Production Operations programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees?+
North Carolina State University at Raleigh (48 graduates a year), Wilkes Community College (40 graduates a year) and Wayne Community College (25 graduates a year) award the most Agricultural Production Operations degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 North Carolina colleges offer Agricultural Production Operations.
Which Agricultural Production Operations program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, North Carolina State University at Raleigh tops the list at $35,198. 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 North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers in North Carolina is $108,780 (median $80,540), across about 250 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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