Best colleges for Agriculture
A program that focuses on the general principles and practice of agricultural research and production and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of practical agricultural problems.
143 U.S. institutions graduated 2,983 Agriculture students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.0000, a specialization of Agriculture (CIP 01.00), and leads most directly to the Agricultural Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4012).
About Agriculture programs
A program that focuses on the general principles and practice of agricultural research and production and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of practical agricultural problems. Includes instruction in basic animal, plant, and soil science; animal husbandry and plant cultivation; soil conservation; and agricultural operations such as farming, ranching, and agricultural business.
See also: 14.0301 - Agricultural Engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Agriculture program focuses on the principles and practices of agricultural research and production, preparing students to tackle practical agricultural challenges. This program is ideal for individuals interested in various aspects of agriculture, including animal husbandry, plant cultivation, and soil science. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of agricultural operations such as farming and ranching.
Core coursework includes instruction in animal, plant, and soil science, along with essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics. Students will also engage in hands-on learning experiences that cover agricultural operations and management.
Credentials awarded
What Agriculture graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,753 graduates / yr · 74 institutions59%
- Associate's degree772 graduates / yr · 64 institutions26%
- Master's degree371 graduates / yr · 30 institutions12%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years50 graduates / yr · 8 institutions1.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year24 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Agriculture completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,590 |
| 2013 | 2,704 |
| 2014 | 2,873 |
| 2015 | 2,932 |
| 2016 | 3,233 |
| 2017 | 3,302 |
| 2018 | 3,376 |
| 2019 | 3,464 |
| 2020 | 3,237 |
| 2021 | 3,280 |
| 2022 | 3,090 |
| 2023 | 3,209 |
| 2024 | 3,247 |
| 2025 | 2,983 |
Top 50 institutions for 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blinn College District Brenham, TXPublicAssociate's | 133 | 11% | — | — |
| 2 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 117 | 65% | — | $47,295 |
| 3 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 99 | 48% | — | — |
| 4 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 75 | 62% | — | $49,781 |
| 5 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 68 | 40% | — | $39,261 |
| 6 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 68 | 56% | — | $38,804 |
| 7 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 68 | 53% | — | — |
| 8 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicBachelor's | 62 | 45% | — | $48,509 |
| 9 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 62 | 70% | — | $39,145 |
| 10 | Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, TXPublicBachelor's | 60 | 43% | — | $38,063 |
| 11 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 59 | 86% | — | $64,786 |
| 12 | McNeese State University Lake Charles, LAPublicBachelor's | 56 | 47% | — | $37,887 |
| 13 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 53% | — | $26,677 |
| 14 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 95% | $17,613 | $53,465 |
| 15 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 54 | 85% | — | $41,084 |
| 16 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 53 | 55% | — | $44,994 |
| 17 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 43% | — | $37,728 |
| 18 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 51 | 55% | — | $45,300 |
| 19 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 49 | 57% | — | $32,301 |
| 20 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 48 | 86% | — | — |
| 21 | Tennessee State University Nashville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 47 | 34% | — | $34,255 |
| 22 | Kaskaskia College Centralia, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 46 | 49% | — | — |
| 23 | Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Miami, OKPublicAssociate's | 44 | 26% | — | — |
| 24 | Southern University and A & M College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor's | 43 | 27% | — | $30,865 |
| 25 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicBachelor's | 42 | 48% | — | $48,048 |
| 26 | The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TNPublicBachelor's | 40 | 53% | — | $39,438 |
| 27 | Redlands Community College El Reno, OKPublicAssociate's | 39 | 35% | — | — |
| 28 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TNPublicBachelor's | 39 | 58% | — | $33,508 |
| 29 | Lincoln University Jefferson City, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 34 | 21% | — | — |
| 30 | Eastern Oklahoma State College Wilburton, OKPublicAssociate's | 34 | 27% | — | — |
| 31 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 33 | 67% | — | $43,669 |
| 32 | Purdue University West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 83% | — | — |
| 33 | Connors State College Warner, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 31 | 36% | — | — |
| 34 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MOPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 33% | — | — |
| 35 | Murray State College Tishomingo, OKPublicAssociate's | 29 | 27% | — | — |
| 36 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TNPublicBachelor's | 29 | 40% | — | $31,905 |
| 37 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor's | 28 | 75% | — | $42,145 |
| 38 | Virginia State University Petersburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 39% | — | — |
| 39 | California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CAPublicBachelor's | 27 | 53% | — | $43,101 |
| 40 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 27 | 63% | — | — |
| 41 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 42% | — | $41,646 |
| 42 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 26 | 84% | — | $59,625 |
| 43 | Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MSPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 25 | 57% | — | $37,771 |
| 44 | Langston University Langston, OKPublicBachelor's | 25 | 17% | — | $45,155 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 25 | 86% | — | $38,606 |
| 46 | New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 55% | — | $26,666 |
| 47 | Delaware State University Dover, DEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 39% | — | $38,873 |
| 48 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 58% | — | $35,737 |
| 49 | Potomac State College of West Virginia University Keyser, WVPublicAssociate's | 21 | 31% | — | — |
| 50 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicMaster's | 20 | 68% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Agriculture field (CIP 01.00) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 47 states & territories
Where Agriculture graduates come from. Each state links to all Agriculture programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4012, Agricultural Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Agriculture program can pursue careers as Agricultural Technicians, Soil and Plant Scientists, and Food Scientists, among others. The job outlook for agricultural careers is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.3% and approximately 2,900 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is $46,790, with many positions requiring at least an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.0000
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4012 | $49,630 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~2,900 | Associate's degree |
Soil and Plant Scientists SOC 19-1013 | $78,850 | +5.4% Faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Food Scientists and Technologists SOC 19-1012 | $88,720 | +6.5% Faster than average | ~1,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Animal Scientists SOC 19-1011 | $68,940 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~200 | Bachelor'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 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in the Agriculture program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or Master's degree in Agriculture.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and mathematics.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Agricultural Technician, Soil and Plant Scientist, or Food Scientist, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for agriculture careers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.3% and around 2,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Agriculture?+
Agriculture is CIP 01.0000 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Agriculture (CIP 01.00). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the general principles and practice of agricultural research and production and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of practical agricultural problems. Includes instruction in basic animal, plant, and soil science; animal husbandry and plant cultivation; soil conservation; and agricultural operations such as farming, ranching, and agricultural business.
How many institutions offer Agriculture programs?+
143 U.S. institutions reported Agriculture graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states & territories, awarding 2,983 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Agriculture graduates.
How much do Agriculture graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Agricultural Technicians occupation, which Agriculture most directly leads to, pays a median of $49,630 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Agriculture field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,438, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Agriculture graduates, so its figures match the Agriculture program page.
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