TRADES
+4.7%Construction
Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and masonry — the skilled trades building America's infrastructure, with union wages and persistent labor shortages driving strong demand.
TRADES
Agriculture
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Agriculture
Crop science, animal husbandry, agribusiness, and food systems — academic and applied training for the farming, food production, and rural-economy industry. Graduates earn a national median of $49,634 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 986 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 51,081 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $41,077
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $49,634
- Colleges Offering
- 986
- Graduates / Year
- 51,081
- Specializations
- 19
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $19,043
Is a Agriculture Degree Right for You?
$49,634
Median earnings · 4yr
+9.6%
10yr job growth
19
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~3.9
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $49,634 after 4 years. Against an estimated $76,172 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.9 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Agriculture Majors Earn?
Agriculture graduates start at a median $41,077 one year out and reach $49,634 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 986 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$41,077
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$49,634
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$54,805
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Agriculture specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $80,757/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $40,334/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$40,334
Lowest
$49,634
Median
$80,757
Highest
What Can You Do With an Agriculture Degree?
Career Paths for Agriculture Graduates
Agriculture connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Veterinarian leads in median earnings at $130,100/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Veterinarian
Doctoral or professional degree
$130,100
↗ +9.6% growth
Economist
Master's degree
$124,720
↗ +1.2% growth
Economics Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$123,920
↗ +2.1% growth
Medical & Health Services Manager
Bachelor's degree
$123,860
↗ +23.2% growth
Administrative Services Managers
Bachelor's degree
$114,130
↗ +4.6% growth
Health Specialties Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$107,310
↗ +17.3% growth
General & Operations Manager
Bachelor's degree
$105,770
↗ +4.4% growth
Agricultural Sciences Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$98,700
↗ +4.1% growth
Agriculture Specializations
Agriculture breaks into 19 specializations. Earnings range widely from $40,334 to $80,757 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Agriculture
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Agriculture graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
Acceptance
57.4%
Net price/yr
$21,315
Earnings 10yr
$72,097
Grad rate
80%
2
Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public
Acceptance
88.7%
Net price/yr
$18,589
Earnings 10yr
$63,386
Grad rate
69%
3
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$6,541
Earnings 10yr
$71,588
Grad rate
83%
4
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
Acceptance
41.7%
Net price/yr
$17,303
Earnings 10yr
$68,758
Grad rate
79%
5
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
Acceptance
42.4%
Net price/yr
$14,355
Earnings 10yr
$81,054
Grad rate
82%
6
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS · Public
Acceptance
81.7%
Net price/yr
$19,406
Earnings 10yr
$57,262
Grad rate
59%
7
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
8.8%
Net price/yr
$28,690
Earnings 10yr
$104,043
Grad rate
92%
8
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
9
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
Acceptance
49.9%
Net price/yr
$14,600
Earnings 10yr
$72,424
Grad rate
77%
10
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Stillwater, OK · Public
Acceptance
75%
Net price/yr
$17,447
Earnings 10yr
$57,413
Grad rate
57%
11
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public
Acceptance
84.8%
Net price/yr
$19,680
Earnings 10yr
$67,253
Grad rate
79%
12
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public
Acceptance
88.5%
Net price/yr
$21,279
Earnings 10yr
$60,543
Grad rate
64%
13
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$17,339
Earnings 10yr
$60,409
Grad rate
66%
14
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX · Public
Acceptance
72.7%
Net price/yr
$19,070
Earnings 10yr
$62,454
Grad rate
60%
15
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
Acceptance
54.8%
Net price/yr
$24,953
Earnings 10yr
$81,698
Grad rate
81%
16
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public
Acceptance
31.3%
Net price/yr
$16,665
Earnings 10yr
$90,768
Grad rate
78%
17
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
Acceptance
37.7%
Net price/yr
$13,936
Earnings 10yr
$68,726
Grad rate
76%
18
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE · Public
Acceptance
87.5%
Net price/yr
$17,747
Earnings 10yr
$56,887
Grad rate
60%
19
Auburn University
Auburn, AL · Public
Acceptance
45.9%
Net price/yr
$24,323
Earnings 10yr
$65,337
Grad rate
73%
20
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
University Park, PA · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$32,875
Earnings 10yr
$63,435
Grad rate
61%
Ranked by number of Agriculture graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Agriculture Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Agriculture degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Agriculture degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Agriculture Degree: Pros & Cons
Agriculture carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 2 strengths and 1 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +23.2% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Medical & Health Services Manager.
- Wide availability Offered at 986 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $49,634 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
Agriculture Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Agriculture graduates earn?
Agriculture graduates earn a national median of $49,634 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Agriculture degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Agriculture degree holders is $41,077 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Agriculture degree?
Agriculture degree holders work in a range of careers. Veterinarian is one of the top roles by median wage ($130,100/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Agriculture?
986 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Agriculture, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Agriculture degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $49,634 and an average net price of roughly $19,043/yr across institutions offering this major, a Agriculture degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Agriculture degree?
Agriculture programs range from two-year associate degrees to four-year bachelor's programs. Many students also enter through apprenticeships, which can provide an accelerated path into the field.
What skills do employers look for in Agriculture graduates?
Employers hiring Agriculture graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, hands-on problem-solving, and equipment operation. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Agriculture graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Agriculture graduates is strong, with an average of +8.3% projected growth across related occupations. Medical & Health Services Manager is among the strongest-growth roles at +23.2%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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- Program earnings
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-
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
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- Program earnings
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