If you are considering pursuing your career in Agriculture, remember that Agriculture as a subject is no more limited to only plant seeds or to shear sheep but it is highly interdisciplinary. The USA can be a perfect destination, as their are more than 40 top universities in USA offering various agricultural programs. The top-notch schools offer a range of agricultural studies from traditional agronomy and animal sciences to emerging technologies like precision agriculture and biotechnology.
Compiled below are some actualities as per the information gathered from both salary explorer and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, related to Agricultural prospects that one can have while pursuing higher eduaction in US:
- Employees with a certificate or diploma in agriculture from the USA can earn 17% on an average more than the employees who have only achieved a high school degree.
- The employment of agriculture and food scientists is estimated to rise by 6% till 2029, quicker than other occupations of related fields.
- It is assumed that employees of the public sector in the USA earn 5% more on an average than those working in the private sector of the related field.
- Uptill May 2020, average pay of food and agricultural specialist in US was 28,900 USD annually.
Top Agriculture Colleges in USA
Tabulated below is a list of some of the globally ranked universities in the USA for its agriculture program as per QS World Rankings.
Universities | Programs Offered | QS Subject Rank 2021 |
---|---|---|
University of California Davis | 10 UG; 4 graduate; More than 5 doctoral programs | #2 |
Cornell University | 9 UG, 9 graduate programs | #5 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | 8 UG; 5 graduate programs; More than 6 doctoral programs | #8 |
Iowa State University | 9 UG; 3 graduate programs; More than 20 doctoral programs | #16 |
Texas A&M University | 9 UG; 3 graduate programs; More than 20 doctoral programs | #21 |
Oregon State University | 10 UG; 6 graduate programs; More than 10 doctoral programs | #24 |
Top Agriculture Colleges in USA: Specializations
As stated above, there are a number of globally ranked universities providing Agricultural programs in the USA and the field of study being huge in terms of the curriculum has to offer several specializations that one can go for when pursuing Agriculture from universities of the USA.
Mentioned below are the types of specializations that one go for when pursuing Agriculture from the USA:
- Animal Science and Management
- Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry
- International Agriculture Development
- Plant Science, Botany
- Viticulture and Enology
- Agronomy, Agriculture and Society
- Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Business
- Poultry Science
- Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Forest Engineering
Top Agriculture Colleges in USA: Degrees Available
Pursuing higher education from the USA is not just an added star in your academic life but a start to an overall growth that is initiated by being in a multicultural country. The USA offers various study options while pursuing agricultural and related subjects. Some of the degree types available to study Agriculture from the USA are mentioned below:
- Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Agriculture, Bachelor of Animal Science and Management, Bachelor of Botany, Bachelor of Agriculture Business, Bachelor of Poultry Science and many more bachelor programs in Agriculture are available in the USA.
- Graduate: Master of Viticulture and Enology, Master of International Agriculture Development, Master of Agronomy, Master of Science (M.Sc.) Animal Science, Master of Botany, Master of Horticulture, Master of Forestry and many more master programs of Agriculture are available in the USA.
- Doctoral: Doctoral of Philosophy/P.H.D in Agriculture and in related subjects.
Agriculture Colleges in USA: Undergraduate Programs
An undergraduate degree in Agriculture in the USA includes agriculture economics, agriculture business. agronomy and crop science, animal sciences, farm and ranch management, horticulture, soil science, sustainable agriculture and more.
According to careeronestop (US Labor Job Search Site), the percentage of employed undergraduates ranges from 33% to 48% more on average than employees with other degree types. However, in the USA employees with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture are observed to earn 24% more than those having only diploma degrees in related fields of study.
One can check the below-listed undergraduate programs offered by the top universities of the USA, along with the cost and the duration required to study Agriculture:
Programs | University | Average annual fee (USD) | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelor of Animal Science and Management, Bachelor of Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry, Bachelor of International Agriculture Development, others | University of California Davis | $46817 | 4 Years |
Bachelor of Botany, Bachelor of Horticulture, Bachelor of Agronomy, Bachelor of Poultry Science and many more | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $38,005 | 4 Years |
Bachelor of Botany, Bachelor of Horticulture, Bachelor of Agronomy, Bachelor of Forestry and many more. | Iowa State University | $12,431 to $ 23,700 | 4 Years |
Bachelor of Horticulture, Bachelor of Poultry Science, Bachelor of Agriculture Economics and many more | Texas A&M University | $ 45,645 | 4 Years |
Bachelor of Botany, Bachelor of Agriculture Business Management, Bachelor of Horticulture and many more. | Oregon State University | $28,000 to $ 29,000 | 4 Years |
Agriculture Colleges in USA: Eligibility for Bachelors
All the students interested in applying for their undergraduate degree in Agriculture degree to study in USA must fulfill the following eligibility benchmarks and must make sure to have the essential documents needed:
- Provide their qualifying certificate of 12th grade from any registered body of education (science background is preferred)
- Take the ACT with Writing or SAT with an essay test as required.
- Minimum ACT requirement: 22
- All the International students will have to give the Proof of English Language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL MELAB, PTE )
- Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
- Minimum TOEFL Score: 80
- Students may need to go through tests and interviews conducted by the appearing universities.
- Students may require providing their medical history.
Agriculture Colleges in USA: Documents Required for Bachelors
- Statement of Purpose to study in USA (Depends on the university applying)
- Letter of Recommendation to study in USA (Depends on the university applying)
- Academic Documents ( Mandatory)
- Scores of exams required to study in USA
- A valid passport is compulsory.
- An appropriate visa is mandatory.
Fees of Top Agriculture Colleges in USA offering Bachelors Degree
To pursue an undergraduate program in Agriculture from the USA can cost 29,000 USD to 50,000 USD on average annually. The range may vary depending on the program and university one chooses.
The 10 Best Agriculture Colleges in the US
Students who are passionate about farming — whether that means animal agriculture, crop cultivation, or any other aspect of the field — would be wise to consider pursuing a degree in agriculture from a reputable college or university.
Generally speaking, agriculture degrees are offered as a bachelor of science; however, the study of agriculture is very interdisciplinary, requiring students to have a firm grasp of concepts in a wide range of academic subject areas.
These include natural sciences — such as chemistry, biology, and environmental science — as well as economics, management, and more.
The interdisciplinary nature of agriculture studies programs allows students to personalize their degree experience to suit their individual preferences and career goals.
Course offerings relating to agriculture vary significantly from one school to another, so students with a particular interest or profession they want to pursue should be sure to choose a college carefully.
University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences (Fayetteville, AR)
Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences, a part of the University of Arkansas, is a premier agricultural college with 14 different undergraduate major programs and an additional 25 minors. As of the fall of 2019, the school has a total enrollment of 2,230 students.
Bumpers College boasts a six-year retention rate of 71.6% — the highest of any of the colleges making up the University. Considering graduation rates in general, Bumpers also has one of the highest Arkansas colleges.
Aiming to graduate students who are highly prepared for successful careers in the agriculture industry, the Bumpser College approach to undergraduate education heavily emphasizes hands-on learning.
Experiential learning opportunities include professional development seminars, leadership workshops, labs, internships, and more.
University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Athens, GA)
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Georgia is an excellent school choice for students interested in horticulture. The school has been ranked second in the United States regarding best agricultural and horticultural plant breeding colleges.
CAES is also widely known for its excellent entomology program offerings, ranking eighth among all colleges and universities worldwide.
About a third of students at the school study abroad in one of 15 different countries at some point before graduating, making CAES an excellent pick for those who are considering a career in international agriculture.
On top of that, CAES boasts a perfect 100% career placement rate for students in their poultry science program.
CAES has an alumni network of more than 19,000 graduates living across the country, providing mentorship, networking connections, and other forms of support to current students.
Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Ames, IA)
A part of Iowa State University, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is widely acknowledged as one of the foremost agriculture schools in the entire world. In fact, according to QS World University Rankings, the school is among the top 4% among 401 global universities in terms of best program offerings in the areas of agriculture and forestry.
Established in 1858, Iowa CALS has a history extending more than 160 years. In 1869, it became the first co-ed, land-grant college in the United States, marking the beginning of a legacy of excellence.
As a result, today, CALS has an active, supportive network of more than 46,000 living alumni.
CALS is known for its research activity, ranking #1 among 60 agricultural schools in terms of number of faculty who have federal research grants.
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Ithaca, NY)
One of the eight elite private universities known as the Ivy League, Cornell University is home to a world-class College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It is the second largest of the university’s constituent schools in terms of number of students, faculty, and staff members.
Cornell CALS is globally renowned as one of the foremost institutions for agriculture research in the world, offering students a vast array of opportunities to contribute to projects of significant scholarly impact.
The college offers 22 different undergraduate major programs in agriculture, plus more than 40 minors, allowing students to personalize their program of study to suit their needs.
For students considering studying agriculture at the graduate level, Cornell offers over 30 research graduate degree programs. In addition, the school has many professional, non-degree, and certificate programs.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture (Amherst, MA)
A part of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, dates back to UMass’ early days, established more than 150 years ago in 1867.
Today, the Stockbridge School of Agriculture has an alumni network of more than 10,000 individuals, a strong source of support for current students.
Stockbridge offers four BS degree programs and five associate degrees at the undergraduate level. The school also has various MS and PhD program options for those interested in pursuing graduate studies.
Stockbridge emphasizes the importance of providing an academic environment that allows students to form close relationships with their professors and peers.
The school offers various athletic teams, community service opportunities, clubs, and other extracurricular organizations.
Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (College Station, TX)
Texas A&M University — the first public institution for higher education in the state of Texas — is home to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, a stellar school for students who want to pursue a degree in this field.
Established in 1876, the school has long been a core part of the university, with numerous well-established, world-class programs.
At the undergraduate level, agriculture major program offerings include many BS options, such as animal science, bioenvironmental science, and biological and agricultural engineering.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences also has many degree programs that focus more on the social sciences side of the agriculture field, such as the agricultural communications and journalism major.
In addition to its extensive academic offerings, Texas A&M also offers its agriculture students numerous high-impact learning opportunities.
Oklahoma State University Ferguson College of Agriculture (Stillwater, OK)
A part of Oklahoma State University, the Ferguson College of Agriculture is a public land-grant university with a total enrollment of just under 3,100 students. Forty-three states and 30 different countries are represented in the OSU Ferguson student body.
Ferguson College of Agriculture is home to 16 different undergraduate major programs, with a total of more than 50 study options for agriculture students.
In addition to the various agriculture programs offered by Ferguson, there is also a biosystems engineering degree program, which is offered through a partnership with the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology.
Since the school was founded more than 130 years ago in 1890, many graduates have received prestigious awards for their significant contributions to the study of agriculture.
Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences (Fort Collins, CO)
Located on 4,773 acres of Fort Collins, CO, the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University has been an outstanding school for studying agriculture since it was established in 1870.
CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences is widely regarded for its significant contributions to the field of agriculture in terms of its research output.
The school offers students a wealth of opportunities to participate in research projects of their own creation under the supervision of department faculty, many of whom are celebrated industry professionals.
One of several research centers at the school, CSU Agriculture is home to the state-of-the-art Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center, an interdisciplinary facility dedicated to supporting research into the relationship between crop growth, soils, and water usage.
Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (Pullman, WA)
A part of Washington State University, the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is one of WSU’s largest, most highly-esteemed constituent colleges.
In fact, the school — commonly referred to as CAHNRS — makes up over 30% of WSU’s extramural funding annually, receiving an impressive $84 million in research funding in the 2020 fiscal year alone.
Research programs at CAHNRS include a 10-week summer plant biology research intensive offered in Germany. Internship opportunities, honor societies, and athletic teams are all other extracurricular options at the school.
At the undergraduate level, CAHRNS at WSU offers more than 20 major programs and 19 minors for students to choose from. In addition, the school has almost 30 different programs for those who decide to study agriculture at the graduate level.
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Lexington, KY)
Founded in 1865, the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky is an excellent college choice for students interested in earning a degree in agriculture. Its campus stretches across more than 900 acres of urban Lexington, KY.
The University of Kentucky is home to around 3,000 agriculture students — meaning that CAFE students make up only around 10% of the university’s total population.
Undergraduate program offerings include horticulture, plant pathology, veterinary science, agricultural economics, and biosystems and agricultural engineering, to name just a few.
List of Agriculture Universities in United States
ARE you searching for the best Agriculture Universities in the United States of America? Well, don’t worry, we have gathered the complete and officially approved lists of all Agriculture Universities in the United States.
I would like to encourage you, right now, not to stop pushing forward with your goals in Agriculture, because I have discovered, that when you take your friends that you’re going for Agriculture, they tend to crack up and laugh about it. Don’t worry, just push forward, because the white-collar jobs are getting crowded and it is getting more difficult to find Jobs in courses like engineering, medicine, etc.
List of Best Agriculture Universities in United States
- College of Agriculture at the University of Florida.
- Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
- Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.
- Auburn University.
- Angelo State University.
- California Polytechnic State University.
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
- California State University Chico (Chico State).
- California State University Fresno (Fresno State).
- Clemson University.
- Colorado State University.
- Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).
- Florida A&M University.
- Fort Hays State University.
- Fort Valley State University.
- Iowa State University.
- Kansas State University College of Agriculture.
- Louisiana State University.
- Michigan State University.
- Mississippi State University.
- Missouri State University.
- Montana State University.
- Morehead State University.
- Murray State University.
- New Mexico State University.
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
- North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- North Dakota State University.
- Oklahoma State University.
- Oregon State University.
- Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences.
- Purdue University.
- Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
- South Dakota State University.
- Southern Arkansas University.
- Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- State University of New York at Cobleskill College of Agriculture and Technology, Cobleskill, NY.
- Sterling College Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, Craftsbury Common, VT.
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture.
- Texas A&M University.
- Texas Tech University.
- The Ohio State University.
- UIUC College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.
- University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- University of Arkansas, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
- University of California at Davis.
- University of California, Riverside.
- University of Delaware.
- University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
- University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
- University of Hawaii at Manoa.
- University of Idaho.
- University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.
- University of Maine.
- University of Maryland, College Park.
- University of Maryland, Eastern Shore.
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
- University of Minnesota.
- University of Missouri.
- University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
- University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
- University of Wyoming.
- Utah State University.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
- Washington State University.