Only 30 colleges in the country offer Agricultural and Food Products Processing, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $80,757.
Agricultural and Food Products Processing is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Graduates typically earn around $80,757 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 30 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 198 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$62,278
Median Earnings · 4yr
$80,757
Colleges Offering
30
Graduates / Year
198
Avg Net Price / yr
$13,343
How Much Do Agricultural and Food Products Processing Graduates Earn?
Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates earn $80,757 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,782 and $96,577.
$62,278
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$80,757
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$78,704
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$57,78225th pct.
$80,757Median
$96,57775th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $80,757 against an estimated $53,372 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 8 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 198 students who complete Agricultural and Food Products Processing programs each year, the majority (41%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
25%31%41%
Bachelor's41%
Associate's31%
Certificate25%
What Can You Do With an Agricultural and Food Products Processing Degree?
Agricultural and Food Products Processing connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Agricultural Sciences Teachers leads at $98,700/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
Top Colleges for Agricultural and Food Products Processing
The 15 colleges below are ranked by how many Agricultural and Food Products Processing students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Agricultural and Food Products Processing is one of 19 specializations within Agriculture. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Agricultural and Food Products Processing program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Agricultural and Food Products Processing Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Agricultural and Food Products Processing shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $80,757 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 12,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $96,577, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Limited program availabilityOnly 30 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Agricultural and Food Products Processing Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates earn?
Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates earn a national median of $80,757 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,782 and $96,577. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree?
One year after graduation, Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree holders earn a median of $62,278. That climbs to $80,757 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree?
Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree holders pursue careers including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, which pays a median of $98,700/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Agricultural and Food Products Processing program take?
A Agricultural and Food Products Processing bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Agricultural and Food Products Processing?
30 colleges and universities in the United States offer Agricultural and Food Products Processing programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $80,757 and an average net price of roughly $13,343/yr, a Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Agricultural and Food Products Processing and Agriculture?
Agricultural and Food Products Processing is a focused concentration within the broader Agriculture field. The Agriculture major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Agricultural and Food Products Processing-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates?
Employers hiring Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates?
With a median salary of $80,757, graduate study in Agricultural and Food Products Processing can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates?
The job outlook for Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.8% job growth over the next 10 years. Food Science Technicians is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.8%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Agriculture Programs
Other programs in Agriculture. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
