Best colleges for Agricultural Business and Management
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Agricultural Business and Management by graduate earnings are Cornell University ($92,163), North Dakota State University ($59,953) and University of Missouri-Columbia ($58,335), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $92,163, 257 graduates a year
- North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND): $59,953, 48 graduates a year
- University of Missouri-Columbia (Columbia, MO): $58,335, 53 graduates a year
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI): $57,023, 65 graduates a year
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL): $55,934, 215 graduates a year
Compare 342 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural Business and Management by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Agricultural Business and Management programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,907 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.01 and the Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Agricultural Business and Management programs
The Agricultural Business and Management program focuses on the intersection of agriculture and business, preparing students to navigate the complexities of the agribusiness industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in managing agricultural enterprises, understanding value chains, and maximizing profits while meeting consumer needs in the agricultural sector. Students in this program will explore various aspects of agribusiness, including farm management, agricultural economics, and the processing of food and fiber. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, graduates will be equipped to address challenges in the agricultural field and contribute to the bio-economy.
Core coursework in Agricultural Business and Management covers essential skills such as critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication. Students will gain knowledge in administration, production processes, and human resources, preparing them for diverse roles within the agricultural sector.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, 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 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $92,163 | 257 | 95% | $17,613 | $13,258 |
| 2 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,953 | 48 | 64% | — | $19,500 |
| 3 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,335 | 53 | 75% | — | $17,499 |
| 4 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,023 | 65 | 81% | — | $24,125 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,934 | 215 | 85% | — | $20,000 |
| 6 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,783 | 107 | 71% | — | $18,909 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,473 | 35 | 56% | — | $15,276 |
| 8 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,967 | 187 | 75% | — | $16,972 |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,911 | 27 | 57% | — | $21,445 |
| 10 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,751 | 120 | 71% | — | $19,641 |
| 11 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,229 | 78 | 67% | — | $19,500 |
| 12 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,160 | 41 | 85% | — | $21,500 |
| 13 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,081 | 23 | 89% | — | $20,000 |
| 14 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,804 | 191 | 83% | — | $17,500 |
| 15 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,778 | 160 | 86% | — | $14,500 |
| 16 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,749 | 64 | 55% | — | $19,125 |
| 17 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,292 | 74 | 67% | — | $21,250 |
| 18 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,222 | 64 | 62% | — | $22,557 |
| 19 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,936 | 59 | 82% | — | $21,875 |
| 20 | Montana State University Bozeman, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,876 | 27 | 57% | — | $20,000 |
| 21 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,565 | 62 | 88% | — | $20,000 |
| 22 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,509 | 846 | 84% | — | $20,125 |
| 23 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,509 | 102 | 69% | — | $19,588 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,136 | 94 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 25 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,100 | 111 | 57% | — | $13,139 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, ND Public · Associate degree | $48,646 | 20 | 55% | — | $11,956 |
| 2 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA Public · Associate degree | $47,472 | 44 | 43% | — | — |
Specializations within Agricultural Business and Management
7 of the 7 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Agribusiness/CIP 01.0102
Agricultural Business Operations 3,742 graduates / yr167 institutions38 states - Agricultural Business and ManagementCIP 01.01012,251 graduates / yr127 institutions38 states
- Agricultural EconomicsCIP 01.01031,691 graduates / yr44 institutions32 states
- Farm/CIP 01.0104
Farm and Ranch Management 757 graduates / yr50 institutions16 states - Agricultural/CIP 01.0105
Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling 269 graduates / yr12 institutions4 states - Agricultural Business and ManagementCIP 01.0199106 graduates / yr12 institutions10 states
- Agricultural Business Technology/CIP 01.0106
Technician partial data30 graduates / yr6 institutions5 states
Offered across 47 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9013, Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Agricultural Business and Management program can pursue various careers in agribusiness, including farm management and agricultural operations. The job outlook indicates a decline of 1.3%, with approximately 85,500 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is $87,980, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Agricultural Business and Management
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.01 (Agricultural Business and Management) maps to 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9013 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managersprimary |
| 13-1021 | Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products |
| 15-1232 | Computer User Support Specialists |
| 19-3011 | Economists |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educators |
| 41-4012 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products |
| 43-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers |
| 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Agricultural Business and Management 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
- Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
- Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
- Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
- Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
- Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
- Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
Common questions
What is Agricultural Business and Management?+
It is a program that combines agriculture and business principles to prepare students for careers in the agribusiness industry.
What skills will I learn?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, communication, and knowledge of agricultural processes.
What career opportunities are available?+
Graduates can work in farm management, agricultural operations, and other roles within the agribusiness sector.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.3%, with about 85,500 annual openings and a median wage of $87,980.
How much do Agricultural Business and Management graduates earn?+
Agricultural Business and Management graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,907, College Scorecard (2019); the Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers occupation pays about $99,820 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Agricultural Business and Management?+
Agricultural Business and Management maps to CIP 01.01 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card