Agriculture graduates earn $53,676 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,047 and $70,551. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Agriculture 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.
Agriculture is a specialized field of study. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $53,676 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 188 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 3,256 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
$39,291
Median Earnings · 4yr
$53,676
Colleges Offering
188
Graduates / Year
3,256
Avg Net Price / yr
$15,511
How Much Do Agriculture Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Agriculture, a typical graduate earns $53,676, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $39,047 and $70,551, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $39,291 at one year out to $53,676 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$53,676
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$52,804
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Agriculture graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, 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.
$39,04725th pct.
$53,676Median
$70,55175th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $53,676 and an estimated $62,044 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.6 years.
Based on outcomes from 92 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 3,256 students who complete Agriculture programs each year, the majority (59%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
26%59%
Bachelor's59%
Associate's26%
Master's12%
What Can You Do With an Agriculture Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Agriculture graduates show up in 4 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.
Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
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.
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.
Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
Top Colleges for Agriculture
Not sure where to study Agriculture? These 20 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 Agriculture graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Agriculture 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 Agriculture program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Agriculture shows 3 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $39,291 at graduation to $53,676 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.7% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
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
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $53,676 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($39,047) and 75th ($70,551) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Agriculture Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Agriculture graduates earn?
$53,676 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $39,047 and $70,551, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Agriculture degree?
$39,291 in the first year out. That grows to $53,676 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 Agriculture 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 Agriculture program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Agriculture 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 Agriculture?
188 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 Agriculture degree worth it?
$53,676 median earnings four years out against $15,511 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What skills do employers look for in Agriculture graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Agriculture 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.
What is the job outlook for Agriculture graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.3% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Soil and Plant Scientists are among the strongest-growth roles at +6.7%. 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.
Related Agriculture Programs
Other programs in Agriculture. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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