Best institutions to study Agronomy and Crop Science
A program that focuses on the chemical, physical, and biological relationships of crops and the soils nurturing them.
65 U.S. institutions graduated 1,367 Agronomy and Crop Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1102, a specialization of Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11), and leads most directly to the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1013).
About Agronomy and Crop Science programs
A program that focuses on the chemical, physical, and biological relationships of crops and the soils nurturing them. Includes instruction in the growth and behavior of agricultural crops, the development of new plant varieties, and the scientific management of soils and nutrients for maximum plant nutrition, health, and productivity.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Agronomy and Crop Science program, part of the broader Plant Sciences field, focuses on the intricate relationships between crops and the soils that support them. This program is designed for students interested in agricultural sciences, emphasizing the growth, behavior, and management of agricultural crops and soils to enhance plant health and productivity. Students in this program will explore various aspects of crop science, including the development of new plant varieties and the scientific management of soil nutrients. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, this program prepares graduates for a variety of roles in the agricultural sector.
Core coursework in Agronomy and Crop Science includes subjects such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics, alongside essential skills like critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication. Students will also gain hands-on experience in soil management and crop development techniques.
Credentials awarded
What Agronomy and Crop Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree761 graduates / yr · 37 institutions56%
- Master's degree265 graduates / yr · 21 institutions19%
- Associate's degree105 graduates / yr · 15 institutions7.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship101 graduates / yr · 17 institutions7.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year71 graduates / yr · 8 institutions5.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years39 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate14 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Agronomy and Crop Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 824 |
| 2013 | 936 |
| 2014 | 974 |
| 2015 | 1,010 |
| 2016 | 1,082 |
| 2017 | 1,237 |
| 2018 | 1,270 |
| 2019 | 1,198 |
| 2020 | 1,161 |
| 2021 | 1,132 |
| 2022 | 1,104 |
| 2023 | 1,250 |
| 2024 | 1,170 |
| 2025 | 1,367 |
Top 50 institutions for Agronomy and Crop Science, 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 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 91 | 67% | — | $47,716 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 88 | 75% | — | $49,393 |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 85 | 69% | — | — |
| 4 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 76 | 86% | — | $63,129 |
| 5 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 64 | 71% | — | $50,115 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 85% | — | $45,411 |
| 7 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 55 | 62% | — | $58,787 |
| 8 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 65% | — | $37,454 |
| 9 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 53 | 85% | — | $42,008 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 34% | — | — |
| 11 | California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CAPublicBachelor's | 43 | 59% | — | — |
| 12 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 40 | 65% | — | — |
| 13 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 37 | 84% | — | $45,163 |
| 14 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor's | 37 | 79% | — | $33,221 |
| 15 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 36 | 63% | — | $43,944 |
| 16 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 34 | 83% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 26 | 91% | — | $36,372 |
| 18 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 24 | 70% | — | $38,397 |
| 19 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SDPublicAssociate's | 22 | 76% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 49% | — | $30,053 |
| 21 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 21 | 71% | — | — |
| 22 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor's | 20 | 67% | — | $45,994 |
| 23 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 64% | — | $49,048 |
| 24 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 90% | — | $40,794 |
| 25 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 86% | — | $42,861 |
| 26 | North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, NDPublicAssociate's | 17 | 55% | — | — |
| 27 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | 82% | — | $39,024 |
| 28 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 55% | — | — |
| 29 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 15 | 55% | — | — |
| 30 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicMaster's | 15 | 42% | — | $34,744 |
| 31 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 15 | 90% | — | — |
| 32 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MOPublicBachelor's | 14 | 54% | — | $47,170 |
| 33 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAssociate's | 14 | 50% | — | — |
| 34 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NEPublicAssociate's | 11 | 56% | — | $49,481 |
| 35 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 95% | $17,613 | $32,236 |
| 36 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 60% | — | $47,531 |
| 37 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor's | 10 | 58% | — | $36,173 |
| 38 | Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MNPublicBachelor's | 9 | 45% | — | — |
| 39 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 9 | 55% | — | — |
| 40 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 66% | — | — |
| 41 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IAPublicAssociate's | 8 | 40% | — | — |
| 42 | Riverland Community College Austin, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 8 | 52% | — | — |
| 43 | Ridgewater College Willmar, MNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 50% | — | — |
| 44 | Mid - State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 52% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor's | 5 | 57% | — | $44,559 |
| 46 | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 42% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville Platteville, WIPublicBachelor's | 5 | 56% | — | $47,910 |
| 48 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WIPublicBachelor's | 5 | 57% | — | $48,791 |
| 49 | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 42% | — | — |
| 50 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Plant Sciences field (CIP 01.11) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 30 states & territories
Where Agronomy and Crop Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Plant Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Agronomy and Crop Science program can pursue careers as Soil and Plant Scientists, with a median wage of $71,410. The job outlook for this field is promising, with a growth rate of 5.4% and approximately 1,700 annual openings, primarily requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1102
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Soil and Plant Scientistsprimary SOC 19-1013 | $78,850 | +5.4% Faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers 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 |
Agricultural Technicians SOC 19-4012 | $49,630 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~2,900 | Associate's degree |
Farm and Home Management Educators SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Agronomy and Crop Science 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
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
- Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
- Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Tools and technology used
Other Plant Sciences specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11).
- Horticultural ScienceCIP 01.1103875 graduates / yr49 institutions
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1101753 graduates / yr43 institutions
- Plant Protection and Integrated Pest ManagementCIP 01.1105196 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Range Science and ManagementCIP 01.1106137 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1199partial data104 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Agricultural and Horticultural Plant BreedingCIP 01.1104partial data42 graduates / yr6 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, or Doctor's degree in Agronomy and Crop Science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, communication, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Soil and Plant Scientist, Agricultural Technician, or in management roles within agriculture.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.4% and about 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Agronomy and Crop Science?+
Agronomy and Crop Science is CIP 01.1102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the chemical, physical, and biological relationships of crops and the soils nurturing them. Includes instruction in the growth and behavior of agricultural crops, the development of new plant varieties, and the scientific management of soils and nutrients for maximum plant nutrition, health, and productivity.
How many institutions offer Agronomy and Crop Science programs?+
65 U.S. institutions reported Agronomy and Crop Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 30 states & territories, awarding 1,367 credentials in the year. That is 39.3% of all Plant Sciences graduates.
How much do Agronomy and Crop Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Soil and Plant Scientists occupation, which Agronomy and Crop Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Plant Sciences field report median earnings of $45,163 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.
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