Best Agricultural Production Operations institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 246 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural Production Operations by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
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 24 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,869 | 31 | 64% | — | $23,250 |
| 2 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,835 | 25 | 83% | — | $15,211 |
| 3 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,743 | 24 | 60% | — | $17,395 |
| 4 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,297 | 13 | 59% | — | — |
| 5 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA Public · Associate degree | $42,392 | 63 | 43% | — | $10,000 |
| 6 | University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,737 | 10 | 52% | $16,473 | — |
| 7 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD Public · Associate degree | $40,871 | 12 | 76% | — | $12,000 |
| 8 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,047 | 35 | 50% | — | $19,250 |
| 9 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA Public · Certificate degree | $38,924 | 30 | 51% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,189 | 24 | 83% | — | $22,123 |
| 11 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Associate degree | $36,083 | 54 | 86% | — | $11,000 |
| 12 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Certificate degree | $35,978 | 40 | 81% | — | $11,000 |
| 13 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Associate degree | $35,198 | 31 | 85% | — | $12,000 |
| 14 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,167 | 59 | 71% | — | $21,250 |
| 15 | Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Wooster, OH Public · Associate degree | $33,940 | 20 | 43% | — | $12,000 |
| 16 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Associate degree | $33,940 | 4 | 88% | — | $12,000 |
| 17 | Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY Public · Associate degree | $33,131 | 13 | 32% | — | $11,000 |
| 18 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,825 | 31 | 87% | — | $25,125 |
| 19 | SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,771 | 24 | 28% | — | $27,000 |
| 20 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,231 | 34 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 21 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,814 | 21 | 56% | $25,402 | $26,500 |
| 22 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI Public · Associate degree | $28,132 | 2 | 45% | — | $9,000 |
| 23 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,439 | 62 | 83% | — | $23,250 |
| 24 | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Curtis, NE Public · Associate degree | $24,427 | 72 | 61% | — | $11,629 |
Offered across 47 states
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
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.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Agricultural Production Operations
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Agricultural Production Operations, GeneralCIP 01.0301
A program that focuses on the general planning, economics, and use of facilities, natural resources, equipment, labor, and capital to produce plant and animal products, and that may prepare individual
- Animal/Livestock Husbandry and ProductionCIP 01.0302
A program that prepares individuals to select, breed, care for, process, and market livestock and small farm animals
- AquacultureCIP 01.0303
A program that prepares individuals to select, culture, propagate, harvest, and market domesticated fish, shellfish, and marine plants, both freshwater and saltwater
- Crop ProductionCIP 01.0304
A program that prepares individuals to cultivate grain, fiber, forage, oilseed, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and other domesticated plant products
- Dairy Husbandry and ProductionCIP 01.0306
A program that prepares individuals to manage the selection and care of dairy animals and associated dairy farm and processing facilities and operations
- Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and ManagementCIP 01.0307
A program that prepares individuals to manage the selection, breeding, care, and maintenance of work, athletic, and show horses; and to manage horse farms, stables, tracks and related equipment and op
- Agroecology and Sustainable AgricultureCIP 01.0308
A program that focuses on agricultural principles and practices that, over the long term, enhance environmental quality, make efficient use of nonrenewable resources, integrate natural biological cycl
- Viticulture and EnologyCIP 01.0309
Moved from 01.0309 to 01.1004
- ApicultureCIP 01.0310
A program that focuses on improving the beekeeping industry, promoting pollination of fruits and vegetables, and bee colony expansion and maintenance
- Agricultural Production Operations, OtherCIP 01.0399
Any instructional program in agricultural production operations not listed above.
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.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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