Best colleges for Agriculture
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Agriculture by graduate earnings are California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($64,786), Texas A&M University - College Station ($59,625) and Cornell University ($53,465), 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%.
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $64,786, 59 graduates a year
- Texas A&M University - College Station (College Station, TX): $59,625, 26 graduates a year
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $53,465, 54 graduates a year
- South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD): $49,781, 75 graduates a year
- Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL): $48,509, 62 graduates a year
Compare 143 U.S. colleges offering Agriculture by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Agriculture programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,438 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.00 and the Agricultural Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Agriculture programs
The Agriculture program, formally known as Agriculture, General, focuses on the essential practices of cultivating soil, planting, and harvesting crops, as well as livestock production. This program is ideal for students interested in the agricultural sector, which plays a vital role in food production and sustainability. Students will explore various aspects of agriculture, including both food and non-food crops, along with related fields such as forestry and aquaculture.
In this program, students develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active learning. Coursework typically covers knowledge areas such as food production, biology, chemistry, and mathematics, equipping students with the necessary tools to succeed in various agricultural tasks and operations.
Top 25 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 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,786 | 59 | 86% | — | $21,903 |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,625 | 26 | 84% | — | $18,585 |
| 3 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,465 | 54 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,599 |
| 4 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,781 | 75 | 62% | — | $20,000 |
| 5 | Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,509 | 62 | 45% | — | $18,969 |
| 6 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,048 | 42 | 48% | — | $20,340 |
| 7 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,295 | 117 | 65% | — | $18,750 |
| 8 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,300 | 51 | 55% | — | $13,460 |
| 9 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,994 | 53 | 55% | — | $20,699 |
| 10 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,669 | 33 | 67% | — | — |
| 11 | California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,101 | 27 | 53% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,145 | 28 | 75% | — | — |
| 13 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,646 | 27 | 42% | — | $22,875 |
| 14 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,084 | 54 | 85% | — | $19,000 |
| 15 | The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,438 | 40 | 53% | — | $19,500 |
| 16 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,145 | 62 | 70% | — | $26,000 |
| 17 | Delaware State University Dover, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,873 | 21 | 39% | — | $23,625 |
| 18 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,804 | 68 | 56% | — | $23,656 |
| 19 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,678 | 20 | 54% | — | $18,250 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,606 | 25 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 21 | Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,063 | 60 | 43% | — | $28,500 |
| 22 | McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,887 | 56 | 47% | — | $19,500 |
| 23 | Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,771 | 25 | 57% | — | $27,000 |
| 24 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,728 | 51 | 43% | — | $20,500 |
| 25 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,737 | 21 | 58% | — | $20,625 |
Top certificate or associate program
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 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN Public · Associate degree | $39,261 | 68 | 40% | — | $7,125 |
Specializations within Agriculture
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.00 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 47 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 19-4012, Agricultural Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Agriculture program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 4.3% and approximately 2,900 annual job openings. The median wage for positions in this field is around $46,790, and a typical education requirement is an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Agriculture
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.00.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.00 (Agriculture, General) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-1011 | Animal Scientists |
| 19-1012 | Food Scientists and Technologists |
| 19-1013 | Soil and Plant Scientists |
| 19-4012 | Agricultural Techniciansprimary |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Agriculture 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
- Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
- Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
- Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
- Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
- Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
- Collect animal or crop samples.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Agriculture program?+
The program focuses on cultivating soil, planting, harvesting crops, and livestock production.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and knowledge of food production and biology.
What is the job outlook for agriculture graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.3% and 2,900 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A typical education requirement for careers in agriculture is an Associate's degree.
How much do Agriculture graduates earn?+
Agriculture graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,438, College Scorecard (2019); the Agricultural Technicians occupation pays about $53,840 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Agriculture?+
Agriculture maps to CIP 01.00 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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