Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields

Best Agricultural and Food Products Processing institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 16 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural and Food Products Processing by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 10 states.

Institutions
16
offering CIP 01.04
States offered
10
with a program page
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
164
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$48,505
1 year after graduation
US pay · Agricultural Inspectors
$55,650
BLS OEWS 2024

About Agricultural and Food Products Processing programs

The Agricultural and Food Products Processing program focuses on the techniques and processes involved in the production and safety of food products. This program is ideal for students interested in the agricultural sciences, as well as those who want to ensure that food products meet safety and quality standards. Students will gain insights into both agricultural practices and food processing techniques.

Learn more about Agricultural and Food Products Processing

What you'll learn

In this program, students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework will cover knowledge areas including customer service, administration, and safety regulations, equipping students to handle various tasks related to food product safety and compliance.

Top 3 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree
$76,0522371%$23,250
2Morningside University
Sioux City, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$48,5051050%$22,816$26,969
3Schoolcraft Community College District
Livonia, MI Public · Certificate degree
$38,991818%$21,000

Offered across 10 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Kansaslimited2$76,052Kansas State University
Iowalimited1$48,505Morningside University
Michigan3$38,991Schoolcraft Community College District
Illinoislimited1
Indianalimited1
Minnesotalimited1
North Carolinalimited1
Ohiolimited2
Texaslimited2
Washingtonlimited2

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 45-2011, Agricultural Inspectors, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Agricultural and Food Products Processing program can pursue careers in food safety inspection and quality control. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 2,200 annual openings and a median wage of $50,990. A typical education requirement for these roles is a bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.5%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~2,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$50,990
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
12,090
Agricultural Inspectors
US average pay
$55,650
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$50,990
annual

Top-paying metros

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$89,630avg
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
$88,730avg
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
$80,570avg
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$80,310avg
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
$76,370avg

Related careers

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$63,360 avg · 29,530 jobs
Food Science Technicians
$54,400 avg · 14,200 jobs
Agricultural Inspectors
$55,650 avg · 12,090 jobs
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$97,790 avg · 8,700 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Agricultural and Food Products Processing programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Active Learning
Writing
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
Administration and Management
Law and Government
Administrative
Public Safety and Security
Mathematics

What graduates do on the job

  • Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.
  • Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
  • Inspect agricultural commodities or related operations, as well as fish or logging operations, for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.
  • Label and seal graded products and issue official grading certificates.
  • Monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering or meat processing plants.
  • Take emergency actions, such as closing production facilities, if product safety is compromised.

Tools & technology

Image processing softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Concentrations within Agricultural and Food Products Processing

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Agricultural and Food Products Processing
    CIP 01.0401

    A program that prepares individuals to receive, inspect, store, process, and package agricultural products in the form of human food consumables, animal or plant food, or other industrial products

  • Reserved
    CIP 01.0480

    Reserved for use by Statistics Canada

Common questions

What is the focus of the Agricultural and Food Products Processing program?+

The program focuses on food safety, processing techniques, and compliance with agricultural standards.

What skills will I learn in this program?+

Students will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and knowledge of safety regulations.

What are the career prospects after graduation?+

Graduates can expect around 2,200 annual job openings with a median wage of $50,990.

What level of education is typically required?+

A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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Agricultural and Food Products Processing by stateKansasIowaMichiganIllinoisIndianaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaOhioTexasWashington

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