Best institutions to study Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
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 cycles and controls, and are economically viable and socially responsible; and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of agricultural and environmental problems.
77 U.S. institutions graduated 767 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0308, a specialization of Agricultural Production Operations (CIP 01.03), and leads most directly to the Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9013).
About Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture programs
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 cycles and controls, and are economically viable and socially responsible; and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of agricultural and environmental problems. Includes instruction in principles of agroecology, crop and soil sciences, entomology, horticulture, animal science, weed science and management, soil fertility and nutrient cycling, applied ecology, agricultural economics, and rangeland ecology and watershed management.
See also: 30.3301 - Sustainability Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture program focuses on agricultural principles and practices that enhance environmental quality and promote sustainable resource use. This program is designed for individuals interested in addressing agricultural and environmental challenges through innovative and responsible practices. Students will explore various aspects of agroecology, including crop and soil sciences, horticulture, and animal science.
Students in this program will gain critical skills in areas such as critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics. Coursework covers essential topics like agroecology, agricultural economics, and soil fertility, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to implement sustainable agricultural practices.
Credentials awarded
What Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree325 graduates / yr · 30 institutions42%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year154 graduates / yr · 24 institutions20%
- Master's degree131 graduates / yr · 13 institutions17%
- Associate's degree87 graduates / yr · 20 institutions11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years29 graduates / yr · 5 institutions3.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate20 graduates / yr · 6 institutions2.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship17 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 72 |
| 2013 | 101 |
| 2014 | 270 |
| 2015 | 352 |
| 2016 | 412 |
| 2017 | 437 |
| 2018 | 495 |
| 2019 | 504 |
| 2020 | 564 |
| 2021 | 545 |
| 2022 | 594 |
| 2023 | 694 |
| 2024 | 755 |
| 2025 | 767 |
Top 50 institutions for Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture, 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 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 53 | 67% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 83% | — | $25,439 |
| 3 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 86% | — | — |
| 4 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 32 | 51% | — | — |
| 5 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 69% | — | — |
| 6 | Prescott College Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 23 | 56% | $23,166 | — |
| 7 | Fort Hays State University - Northwest Kansas Technical College Goodland, KSPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 73% | — | — |
| 8 | Maharishi International University Fairfield, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 21 | 50% | $19,927 | — |
| 9 | University of Puerto Rico - Utuado Utuado, PRPublicBachelor's | 20 | 23% | — | — |
| 10 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 75% | — | — |
| 11 | Lenoir Community College Kinston, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 18 | 36% | — | — |
| 12 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicMaster's | 17 | 55% | — | — |
| 13 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 76% | — | $29,231 |
| 14 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 15 | 83% | — | $38,189 |
| 15 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 15 | 85% | — | $35,198 |
| 16 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor's | 14 | 64% | — | — |
| 17 | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 28% | — | — |
| 18 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 14 | 60% | — | $56,743 |
| 19 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Guayama Guayama, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 44% | $10,026 | — |
| 20 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 13 | 20% | — | — |
| 21 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 16% | — | — |
| 22 | Southern Maine Community College South Portland, MEPublicAssociate's | 12 | 28% | — | — |
| 23 | Northeast Texas Community College Mount Pleasant, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 56% | — | — |
| 24 | Fort Lewis College Durango, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 36% | — | — |
| 25 | Davidson - Davie Community College Thomasville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 46% | — | — |
| 26 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor's | 11 | 64% | — | $62,869 |
| 27 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 25% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 10 | 90% | — | — |
| 29 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NEPublicAssociate's | 9 | 56% | — | — |
| 30 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 58% | — | — |
| 31 | Highland Community College Highland, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 8 | 39% | — | — |
| 32 | Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 43% | — | — |
| 33 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 8 | 49% | — | — |
| 34 | Chatham University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 63% | $23,700 | — |
| 35 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor's | 8 | 59% | — | — |
| 36 | Leeward Community College Pearl City, HIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 35% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor's | 7 | 55% | — | — |
| 38 | Warren Wilson College Swannanoa, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 42% | $22,259 | — |
| 39 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicMaster's | 7 | 55% | — | — |
| 40 | Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 34% | — | — |
| 41 | Central State University Wilberforce, OHPublicBachelor's | 6 | 23% | — | — |
| 42 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 16% | — | — |
| 43 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 6 | 88% | — | $33,940 |
| 44 | Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 6 | 56% | $25,402 | $28,814 |
| 45 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 67% | — | — |
| 46 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 47 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 22% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 5 | 73% | — | — |
| 49 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 33% | — | — |
| 50 | Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 38% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Agricultural Production Operations field (CIP 01.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 34 states & territories
Where Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture graduates come from. Each state links to all Agricultural Production Operations programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9013, Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture program can pursue careers as Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers. The job outlook for these positions indicates a slight decline of 1.3%, with approximately 85,500 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is $87,980, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0308
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 |
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers SOC 45-1011 | $59,320 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Conservation Scientists SOC 19-1031 | $73,010 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~2,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Soil and Plant Scientists SOC 19-1013 | $78,850 | +5.4% Faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1043 | $101,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~100 | 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 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture 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 Production Operations specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Agricultural Production Operations (CIP 01.03).
- Agricultural Production OperationsCIP 01.0301968 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Animal/CIP 01.0302
Livestock Husbandry and Production 860 graduates / yr55 institutions - Crop ProductionCIP 01.0304526 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Horse Husbandry/CIP 01.0307
Equine Science and Management 479 graduates / yr43 institutions - AquacultureCIP 01.0303131 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Dairy Husbandry and ProductionCIP 01.0306partial data63 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Agricultural Production OperationsCIP 01.0399limited data10 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics, among others.
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 slight decline, with around 85,500 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture?+
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture is CIP 01.0308 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Agricultural Production Operations (CIP 01.03). NCES defines it as: 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 cycles and controls, and are economically viable and socially responsible; and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of agricultural and environmental problems. Includes instruction in principles of agroecology, crop and soil sciences, entomology, horticulture, animal science, weed science and management, soil fertility and nutrient cycling, applied ecology, agricultural economics, and rangeland ecology and watershed management.
How many institutions offer Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture programs?+
77 U.S. institutions reported Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 34 states & territories, awarding 767 credentials in the year. That is 20.2% of all Agricultural Production Operations graduates.
How much do Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture 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 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture most directly leads to, pays a median of $89,900 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Agricultural Production Operations field report median earnings of $35,167 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.
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