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Studies & Degrees in Crop Science

Crop science is the study of cultivated plants and of the systems in which they are grown. It is closely tied to agronomy and often shares a department with soil science, horticulture or plant science. The Ohio State University defines agronomy as the application of biological, chemical and physical principles to crops and cropping systems, to make them more efficient at turning light and other resources into food, feed and fibre.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the aim of the field in practical terms: plant and soil scientists work to improve crop yields and the productivity of soil through crop breeding, soil management and the control of pests and weeds. Core topics at Ohio State are seed science, data analysis, farm production, integrated pest management, agronomic crops, weed science, plant physiology, soil resource management and farm management.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree in the United States. Crop science is usually a specialisation inside a broader major. At Ohio State, agronomy is a specialisation of the Horticulture and Crop Science major, with a minimum of 121 credit hours. Oregon State University awards a Bachelor of Science in Crop and Soil Science that includes a required internship.
  • Bachelor's degree in Spain. Spanish bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits. The grado en Ingeniería de Ciencias Agronómicas of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) lasts 4 academic years and has two specialisations, Hortofructicultura y Jardinería and Producción Agropecuaria. According to the UPC, it qualifies graduates for the regulated profession of Ingeniero Técnico Agrícola, whose degree requirements are set by Orden CIN/323/2009.
  • Master's degree. The master's in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands is a full-time programme of 2 years taught in English, with five specialisations. Oregon State offers graduate study in Crop Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, or Soil Science.
  • Doctorate. Research careers normally require a PhD. The BLS notes that a PhD may be required for some research positions in specialised topics, among them agronomy and biotechnology.
  • Vocational training in Spain. In vocational training (FP), the higher-level qualification Técnico Superior en Paisajismo y Medio Rural has 2,000 hours and covers conventional and organic agricultural production as well as gardens and nurseries, according to the ministry's TodoFP portal.

Where to study crop science

SpainExchange lists 16 active schools for crop science. Six are in the United States and two in Ghana. Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Iraq, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe have one each.

The American schools on the list include public land-grant universities such as The Ohio State University, Purdue University, whose Department of Agronomy covers plant genetics, plant physiology, soil and water sciences and meteorology, and Colorado State University, which has a Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Oregon State University and the University of Maryland are also listed.

In Europe the list includes Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands and the UPC in Barcelona, which gives an approximate price of €1,061 per year for its agronomy degree (€1,800 for students who are not EU residents; checked in October 2026). Perrotis College in Thessaloniki, part of the American Farm School, receives study abroad students. Warnborough College Ireland, in Dublin, is a distance-learning college; ask the school what recognition its qualifications have in your country.

In Africa and the Middle East, the list includes the University of Ghana, whose School of Agriculture has a Department of Crop Science, the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, Mekelle University in Ethiopia, Midlands State University in Zimbabwe and the University of Mosul in Iraq.

Language follows the country. The Wageningen master's is taught in English. At the UPC the language is set for each course, so check the course guides before enrolling.

Careers

Ohio State lists agronomist, crop consultant and field trial coordinator among the jobs of its agronomy graduates, and the UPC mentions the technical management of farms and plant nurseries, consultancy and posts in public administration.

In the United States, the BLS counted about 19,900 soil and plant scientists in 2025, the largest group among 37,400 agricultural and food scientists. It states that these scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and it projects employment of the whole group to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between crop science and agronomy?

The two overlap. Agronomy applies science to crops and cropping systems, including soil and farm management, and crop science puts more weight on the plant itself: its physiology, breeding and protection. Many universities teach them in one department.

How long does a degree in crop science take?

A Spanish grado has 240 ECTS credits and takes 4 years. The agronomy specialisation at Ohio State requires at least 121 credit hours. The master's in Plant Sciences at Wageningen takes 2 years.

Can I work as an agricultural engineer in Spain with this degree?

Only with a degree that meets the official requirements. The UPC states that its grado en Ingeniería de Ciencias Agronómicas qualifies for the regulated profession of Ingeniero Técnico Agrícola. Holders of foreign degrees need official recognition first.

Do I need a master's degree or a PhD?

Not for every job. According to the BLS, a bachelor's degree is the typical entry level, but employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree, and some research positions require a PhD.