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.
This page covers Agricultural and Food Products Processing as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Agriculture and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Agricultural and Food Products Processing is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $80,757 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 30 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 198 students complete it each year, most walking away with 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?
Four years after finishing Agricultural and Food Products Processing, a typical graduate earns $80,757, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $57,782 and $96,577, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
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
Not every Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. 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?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Agricultural Sciences Teachers pay the most at $98,700/yr median. Expand any card below 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
Not sure where to study Agricultural and Food Products Processing? These 15 colleges graduate the most students in it 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 not the only path through Agriculture: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Agricultural and Food Products Processing program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
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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 11,000 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?
$80,757 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $57,782 and $96,577, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree?
$62,278 in the first year out. That grows to $80,757 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree?
Agricultural Sciences Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $98,700 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Agricultural and Food Products Processing program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Agricultural and Food Products Processing bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Agricultural and Food Products Processing?
30 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Agricultural and Food Products Processing degree worth it?
$80,757 median earnings four years out against $13,343 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Agricultural and Food Products Processing and Agriculture?
Agricultural and Food Products Processing is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Agricultural and Food Products Processing-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates consistently look for 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. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $80,757, graduate study in Agricultural and Food Products Processing tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Food Science Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +4.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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