Best colleges for Agricultural Production Operations
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Agricultural Production Operations by graduate earnings are North Dakota State University ($62,869), Washington State University ($56,743) and University of Kentucky ($35,167), 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%.
- North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND): $62,869, 31 graduates a year
- Washington State University (Pullman, WA): $56,743, 24 graduates a year
- University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY): $35,167, 54 graduates a year
- Clemson University (Clemson, SC): $30,825, 36 graduates a year
- University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH): $29,231, 31 graduates a year
Compare 243 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural Production Operations by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 48 states.
Agricultural Production Operations programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,198 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.03 and the Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Agricultural Production Operations programs
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 in agriculture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, or related fields. Students will gain hands-on experience and knowledge critical for success in various agricultural operations. With specializations ranging from crop production to dairy husbandry and sustainable agriculture, this program prepares students to address the challenges of modern farming. It is ideal for those passionate about agriculture and looking to contribute to food production and environmental sustainability.
Students in the Agricultural Production Operations program will develop core skills in critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics. Coursework covers essential knowledge areas such as biology, production and processing, and administration and management, equipping students with the tools needed to manage agricultural operations effectively.
Top 12 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 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,869 | 31 | 64% | — | $23,250 |
| 2 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,743 | 24 | 60% | — | $17,395 |
| 3 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,167 | 54 | 71% | — | $21,250 |
| 4 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,825 | 36 | 87% | — | $25,125 |
| 5 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,231 | 31 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,439 | 58 | 83% | — | $23,250 |
| 7 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $47,297 | 8 | 59% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,737 | 7 | 52% | $16,473 | — |
| 9 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,047 | 16 | 50% | — | $19,250 |
| 10 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,189 | 15 | 83% | — | $22,123 |
| 11 | SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,771 | 20 | 28% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,814 | 18 | 56% | $25,402 | $26,500 |
Top 11 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 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA Public · Associate degree | $42,392 | 96 | 43% | — | $10,000 |
| 2 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA Public · Certificate | $38,924 | 26 | 51% | — | — |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Associate degree | $36,083 | 39 | 86% | — | $11,000 |
| 4 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Certificate | $35,978 | 54 | 81% | — | $11,000 |
| 5 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Associate degree | $35,198 | 48 | 85% | — | $12,000 |
| 6 | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Curtis, NE Public · Associate degree | $24,427 | 75 | 61% | — | $11,629 |
| 7 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD Public · Associate degree Small program | $40,871 | 16 | 76% | — | $12,000 |
| 8 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Wooster, OH Public · Associate degree Small program | $33,940 | 19 | 43% | — | $12,000 |
| 9 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Associate degree Small program | $33,940 | 11 | 88% | — | $12,000 |
| 10 | Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY Public · Associate degree Small program | $33,131 | 14 | 32% | — | $11,000 |
| 11 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI Public · Associate degree Small program | $28,132 | 5 | 45% | — | $9,000 |
Specializations within Agricultural Production Operations
8 of the 9 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Agricultural Production OperationsCIP 01.0301968 graduates / yr63 institutions28 states
- Animal/CIP 01.0302
Livestock Husbandry and Production 860 graduates / yr55 institutions21 states - Agroecology and Sustainable AgricultureCIP 01.0308767 graduates / yr77 institutions34 states
- Crop ProductionCIP 01.0304526 graduates / yr52 institutions19 states
- Horse Husbandry/CIP 01.0307
Equine Science and Management 479 graduates / yr43 institutions22 states - AquacultureCIP 01.0303131 graduates / yr18 institutions15 states
- Dairy Husbandry and ProductionCIP 01.0306partial data63 graduates / yr9 institutions6 states
- Agricultural Production OperationsCIP 01.0399limited data10 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Show all 9 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Apiculture01.0310
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 48 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.
Career opportunities in Agricultural Production Operations include roles in crop production, livestock management, and aquaculture. The outlook for these positions shows a slight decline of 1.3%, with approximately 85,500 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $87,980, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Agricultural Production Operations
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.03 (Agricultural Production Operations) 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 |
| 19-1011 | Animal Scientists |
| 19-1013 | Soil and Plant Scientists |
| 19-1031 | Conservation Scientists |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1043 | Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educators |
| 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
| 45-2021 | Animal Breeders |
| 45-2093 | Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Agricultural Production Operations 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 specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Animal/Livestock Husbandry, Aquaculture, Crop Production, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.3%, with 85,500 annual openings.
What is the median wage for careers in this field?+
The median wage is $87,980.
How much do Agricultural Production Operations graduates earn?+
Agricultural Production Operations graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,198, 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 Production Operations?+
Agricultural Production Operations maps to CIP 01.03 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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