Best institutions to study Dairy Husbandry and Production
A program that prepares individuals to manage the selection and care of dairy animals and associated dairy farm and processing facilities and operations.
9 U.S. institutions graduated 63 Dairy Husbandry and Production students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0306, a specialization of Agricultural Production Operations (CIP 01.03), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers occupation (BLS SOC 45-1011).
About Dairy Husbandry and Production programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage the selection and care of dairy animals and associated dairy farm and processing facilities and operations. Includes instruction in basic animal and dairy science; dairy animal nutrition and health; design and operation of dairy housing, feeding, and processing facilities and equipment; and related issues of safety, sanitation, shipping and handling, and applicable regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Dairy Husbandry and Production program prepares individuals to effectively manage the selection and care of dairy animals, as well as the associated dairy farm and processing facilities. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in agricultural production operations, focusing on dairy science and animal husbandry practices.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in animal and dairy science, nutrition and health of dairy animals, and the design and operation of dairy facilities. Coursework also covers safety, sanitation, shipping, and handling regulations relevant to the dairy industry.
Credentials awarded
What Dairy Husbandry and Production graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years20 graduates / yr · 2 institutions32%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions27%
- Associate's degree16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions25%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.2%
- Bachelor's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.6%
Graduates over time
Dairy Husbandry and Production completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 67 |
| 2013 | 61 |
| 2014 | 101 |
| 2015 | 99 |
| 2016 | 92 |
| 2017 | 100 |
| 2018 | 133 |
| 2019 | 94 |
| 2020 | 120 |
| 2021 | 77 |
| 2022 | 80 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 60 |
| 2025 | 63 |
Top 9 institutions for Dairy Husbandry and Production, 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 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 51% | — | $38,924 |
| 2 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 65% | — | — |
| 3 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAssociate's | 9 | 30% | — | — |
| 4 | Ridgewater College Willmar, MNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 8 | 50% | — | — |
| 5 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 39% | — | — |
| 6 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 7 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 71% | — | — |
| 8 | Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 50% | — | — |
| 9 | SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 28% | — | $30,771 |
* 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 6 states
Where Dairy Husbandry and Production graduates come from. Each state links to all Agricultural Production Operations programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 2 | 20 | Northeast Iowa Community College18 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 20 | Fox Valley Technical College18 / yr |
| California | 2 | 12 | Modesto Junior College9 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 8 | Ridgewater College8 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 2 | Kansas State University2 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | SUNY Morrisville1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 45-1011, First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Dairy Husbandry and Production program can pursue careers as First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers, among other roles. The job outlook for related occupations shows a growth rate of 2.5%, with approximately 8,500 annual openings and a median wage of $59,330, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0306
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workersprimary SOC 45-1011 | $59,320 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers SOC 11-9013 | $89,900 | -1.3% Decline | ~85,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Farm and Home Management Educators SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Dairy Husbandry and Production 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
- Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
- Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.
- Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.
- Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior, notifying veterinarians or managers as warranted.
- Observe fish and beds or ponds to detect diseases, monitor fish growth, determine quality of fish, or determine completeness of harvesting.
- Train workers in tree felling or bucking, operation of tractors or loading machines, yarding or loading techniques, or safety regulations.
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 - Agroecology and Sustainable AgricultureCIP 01.0308767 graduates / yr77 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
- 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 is the duration of the Dairy Husbandry and Production program?+
The program offers various awards, typically ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 4 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, and monitoring skills, along with knowledge in administration and management.
What types of careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a First-Line Supervisor of Farming, or in other agricultural management roles.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a projected growth of 2.5% and 8,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Dairy Husbandry and Production?+
Dairy Husbandry and Production is CIP 01.0306 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 prepares individuals to manage the selection and care of dairy animals and associated dairy farm and processing facilities and operations. Includes instruction in basic animal and dairy science; dairy animal nutrition and health; design and operation of dairy housing, feeding, and processing facilities and equipment; and related issues of safety, sanitation, shipping and handling, and applicable regulations.
How many institutions offer Dairy Husbandry and Production programs?+
9 U.S. institutions reported Dairy Husbandry and Production graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 63 credentials in the year. That is 1.7% of all Agricultural Production Operations graduates.
How much do Dairy Husbandry and Production graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers occupation, which Dairy Husbandry and Production most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,320 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Agricultural Production Operations field report median earnings of $38,924 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