Best institutions to study Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations
A program that prepares individuals to manage agricultural businesses and agriculturally related operations within diversified corporations.
167 U.S. institutions graduated 3,742 Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0102, a specialization of Agricultural Business and Management (CIP 01.01), and leads most directly to the Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9013).
About Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage agricultural businesses and agriculturally related operations within diversified corporations. Includes instruction in agriculture, agricultural specialization, business management, accounting, finance, marketing, planning, human resources management, and other managerial responsibilities.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations program prepares individuals to effectively manage agricultural businesses and related operations within diverse corporations. This program is ideal for those interested in the intersection of agriculture and business management, providing essential skills for a successful career in the agricultural sector.
Learn more about Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations →
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as agriculture, business management, accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics, which are essential for managing agricultural enterprises.
Credentials awarded
What Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,309 graduates / yr · 65 institutions62%
- Associate's degree897 graduates / yr · 95 institutions24%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year392 graduates / yr · 42 institutions11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years80 graduates / yr · 21 institutions2.1%
- Master's degree53 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years10 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,867 |
| 2013 | 1,937 |
| 2014 | 2,015 |
| 2015 | 2,526 |
| 2016 | 2,578 |
| 2017 | 2,552 |
| 2018 | 2,948 |
| 2019 | 3,067 |
| 2020 | 3,089 |
| 2021 | 3,064 |
| 2022 | 3,157 |
| 2023 | 3,167 |
| 2024 | 3,527 |
| 2025 | 3,742 |
Top 50 institutions for Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 436 | 84% | — | $50,509 |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 160 | 86% | — | $52,778 |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 129 | 85% | — | $46,849 |
| 4 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor's | 111 | 57% | — | $50,100 |
| 5 | Reedley College Reedley, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 111 | 42% | — | — |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 94 | 86% | — | $50,136 |
| 7 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor's | 93 | 75% | — | $53,967 |
| 8 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 89 | 71% | — | $54,783 |
| 9 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 89 | 21% | — | — |
| 10 | The University of Tennessee - Martin Martin, TNPublicBachelor's | 87 | 53% | — | $36,242 |
| 11 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 64 | 90% | — | $49,611 |
| 12 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor's | 64 | 62% | — | $51,222 |
| 13 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicBachelor's | 64 | 48% | — | $45,097 |
| 14 | Coalinga College Coalinga, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 56 | 43% | — | — |
| 15 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 52 | 67% | — | $51,292 |
| 16 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 50 | 63% | — | $47,937 |
| 17 | Merced College Merced, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 36% | — | — |
| 18 | Beaufort County Community College Washington, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 49 | 48% | — | — |
| 19 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 51% | — | $40,955 |
| 20 | Bladen Community College Dublin, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 44 | 23% | — | — |
| 21 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 30% | — | — |
| 22 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 43 | 67% | — | $45,821 |
| 23 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 42 | 69% | — | $50,509 |
| 24 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TXPublicBachelor's | 42 | 55% | — | $52,749 |
| 25 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicBachelor's | 41 | 55% | — | $43,804 |
| 26 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 58% | — | $44,418 |
| 27 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 40 | 86% | — | $48,557 |
| 28 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 59% | — | $35,431 |
| 29 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 42% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville Platteville, WIPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 35 | 56% | — | $54,473 |
| 31 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 40% | — | — |
| 32 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MOPublicBachelor's | 32 | 54% | — | $48,302 |
| 33 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TXPublicBachelor's | 31 | 43% | — | — |
| 34 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NEPublicAssociate's | 30 | 56% | — | $36,223 |
| 35 | University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, ARPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 28 | 49% | — | $36,543 |
| 36 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 28 | 55% | — | $47,907 |
| 37 | Arkansas State University - Beebe Beebe, ARPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 42% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WIPublicBachelor's | 27 | 57% | — | $53,911 |
| 39 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 26 | 42% | — | — |
| 40 | Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 25 | 55% | — | — |
| 41 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicBachelor's | 24 | 49% | — | $44,810 |
| 42 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, ARPublicAssociate's | 24 | 49% | — | $41,325 |
| 43 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor's | 24 | 57% | — | $48,338 |
| 44 | Ridgewater College Willmar, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 24 | 50% | — | $44,875 |
| 45 | Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, OKPublicBachelor's | 24 | 21% | — | — |
| 46 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 24 | 34% | — | $50,136 |
| 47 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAssociate's | 23 | 23% | — | — |
| 48 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 39% | — | — |
| 49 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicBachelor's | 21 | 68% | — | $38,272 |
| 50 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 21 | 55% | — | $37,574 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Agricultural Business and Management field (CIP 01.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 38 states & territories
Where Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations graduates come from. Each state links to all Agricultural Business and Management programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9013, Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, with an annual opening of approximately 85,500 positions. Although the job outlook shows a slight decline of 1.3%, the median wage for these roles is around $87,980, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0102
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managersprimary SOC 11-9013 | $89,900 | -1.3% Decline | ~85,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Agricultural Business and Management specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Agricultural Business and Management (CIP 01.01).
- Agricultural Business and ManagementCIP 01.01012,251 graduates / yr127 institutions
- Agricultural EconomicsCIP 01.01031,691 graduates / yr44 institutions
- Farm/CIP 01.0104
Farm and Ranch Management 757 graduates / yr50 institutions - Agricultural/CIP 01.0105
Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling 269 graduates / yr12 institutions - Agricultural Business and ManagementCIP 01.0199106 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Agricultural Business Technology/CIP 01.0106
Technician partial data30 graduates / yr6 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, and various awards for shorter courses.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, mathematics, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Farmer, Rancher, or Agricultural Manager, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.3%, but there are still many annual openings available.
What is the CIP code for Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations?+
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations is CIP 01.0102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Agricultural Business and Management (CIP 01.01). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to manage agricultural businesses and agriculturally related operations within diversified corporations. Includes instruction in agriculture, agricultural specialization, business management, accounting, finance, marketing, planning, human resources management, and other managerial responsibilities.
How many institutions offer Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations programs?+
167 U.S. institutions reported Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states & territories, awarding 3,742 credentials in the year. That is 42.3% of all Agricultural Business and Management graduates.
How much do Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers occupation, which Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations most directly leads to, pays a median of $89,900 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Agricultural Business and Management field report median earnings of $47,937 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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