Only 18 colleges in the country offer International Agriculture, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $56,491.
This page covers International 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.
International Agriculture is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $56,491 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 18 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 215 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
$52,068
Median Earnings · 4yr
$56,491
Colleges Offering
18
Graduates / Year
215
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,049
How Much Do International Agriculture Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing International Agriculture, a typical graduate earns $56,491, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $39,972 and $87,919, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$56,491
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$56,405
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every International Agriculture 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.
$39,97225th pct.
$56,491Median
$87,91975th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $56,491 and an estimated $76,196 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.9 years.
Based on outcomes from 9 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 215 students who complete International Agriculture programs each year, the majority (53%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
53%25%22%
Bachelor's53%
Post-Bacc Cert.25%
Master's22%
What Can You Do With an International Agriculture Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. International Agriculture graduates show up in 2 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.
Top Colleges for International Agriculture
Only 9 colleges had enough verified data to appear here for International Agriculture. They are sorted by graduate volume, not selectivity, so use them as a starting point rather than a ranking.
Ranked by International Agriculture graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
International 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 International Agriculture program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on International Agriculture shows 2 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $56,491 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.2% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
CONS
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 ($39,972) and 75th ($87,919) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Limited program availabilityOnly 18 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
International Agriculture Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do International Agriculture graduates earn?
$56,491 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $39,972 and $87,919, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an International 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 International Agriculture program take?
Four years of full-time study for an International 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 International Agriculture?
18 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 International Agriculture degree worth it?
$56,491 median earnings four years out against $19,049 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 is the difference between International Agriculture and Agriculture?
International Agriculture is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to International Agriculture-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 International Agriculture graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring International 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 International Agriculture graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +4.6% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Food Scientists and Technologists are among the strongest-growth roles at +6.2%. 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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