Best colleges for Agricultural and Food Products Processing
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 17 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural and Food Products Processing by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 12 states.
Agricultural and Food Products Processing programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,505 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.04 and the Agricultural Inspectors occupation (BLS SOC).
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 →
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
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $76,052 | 19 | 71% | — | $23,250 |
| 2 | Morningside University Sioux City, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $48,505 | 16 | 50% | $22,816 | $26,969 |
| 3 | Schoolcraft Community College District Livonia, MI Public · Certificate Small program | $38,991 | 6 | 18% | — | $21,000 |
Specializations within Agricultural and Food Products Processing
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 12 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansaslimited | 2 | $76,052 | Kansas State University |
| Iowalimited | 1 | $48,505 | Morningside University |
| Michigan | 3 | $38,991 | Schoolcraft Community College District |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Federated States of Micronesialimited | 1 | — | — |
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.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Agricultural and Food Products Processing
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.04 (Agricultural and Food Products Processing) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-4013 | Food Science Technicians |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
| 45-2011 | Agricultural Inspectorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
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
Knowledge areas
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.
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.
How much do Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates earn?+
Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,505, College Scorecard (2019); the Agricultural Inspectors occupation pays about $54,910 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Agricultural and Food Products Processing?+
Agricultural and Food Products Processing maps to CIP 01.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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