Agriculture Schools and Programs in The United States

Agriculture Studies in The United States

Agriculture as a field of study covers the science, technology and business of producing crops and livestock. Programmes range from two-year technical courses in crop production or farm machinery to university degrees in plant science, animal science and agricultural economics. In the United States, much of this teaching takes place at land-grant universities, public institutions with a mission of teaching, research and outreach to farmers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), every state has at least one land-grant college that offers agricultural science degrees. SpainExchange lists 44 colleges and universities in the United States that teach agriculture.

How the degree is organised

There are two main entry routes. Community colleges offer two-year programmes leading to an associate degree, as well as technical and vocational programmes. Northeast Community College in Nebraska is an example: its agriculture programmes include Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Agronomy, Animal Science, Precision Agriculture, Mechanized Agriculture and Diversified Agriculture, and an Agriculture - College Transfer associate degree designed for transfer to a four-year degree.

The second route is a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years of full-time study; each university sets the number of credits needed to graduate. BLS notes that students may major in a specific concentration within agriculture, such as animal, crop or food science, and that programmes of study at schools of agriculture include agricultural economics and business, animal science and plant science. Agriculture is usually taught in a dedicated college inside the university. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for example, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has departments that include Agricultural and Applied Economics, Animal and Dairy Sciences, Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, and Soil and Environmental Sciences.

The two main graduate degrees are the master's degree, which usually takes about two years, and the PhD. They matter for research careers: agricultural and food scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree, according to BLS.

Admission, language and costs

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. Each institution sets its own requirements, and EducationUSA notes that community colleges may have a more flexible admissions process; it advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the planned start. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees in 2022-23 were $4,000 at public 2-year institutions, $9,800 at public 4-year institutions and $40,700 at private nonprofit 4-year institutions. The public figures are the in-district or in-state rate, so check what each school charges non-residents. EducationUSA describes a "2+2" route, two years at a community college followed by two years at a university, which can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study agriculture

The schools in this directory are spread across many states and fall into two groups.

• Four-year universities: The Ohio State University (College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences), The Pennsylvania State University (College of Agricultural Sciences), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Florida, the University of Kentucky, Oregon State University, whose College of Agricultural Sciences reports 3,400 students and more than 40 degree programmes, and Texas Tech University, whose Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources reports an enrolment of 3,494 students.
• Community and technical colleges: Northeast Community College (Nebraska), Laramie County Community College (Wyoming), Linn-Benton Community College (Oregon), Coastal Bend College (Texas) and Ellsworth Community College (Iowa), among others.

When comparing schools, look at the specialisms offered, whether the school has its own farm or research station, and how credits transfer from a two-year college to a university.

Careers

BLS notes that many people with a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences work in related jobs such as farming, ranching, agricultural inspection or farm credit institutions. Its figures for the main occupations are:

• Agricultural and food scientists: 37,400 jobs in 2025, projected growth of 6% from 2025 to 2035, about 2,700 openings a year
• Agricultural and food science technicians: projected growth of 5%, about 5,900 openings a year; some employers require or prefer an associate or bachelor's degree
• Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers: 788,700 jobs in 2025, a projected decline of 3%, but about 70,800 openings a year

Frequently asked questions

What is a land-grant university?

It is a public university designated by its state to teach agriculture and related sciences, carry out research and share it with farmers through extension services. According to BLS, every state has at least one land-grant college that offers agricultural science degrees.

How long does an agriculture degree take in the United States?

An associate degree at a community college takes two years and a bachelor's degree usually four years of full-time study.

Can I start at a community college and finish at a university?

Yes. EducationUSA describes the "2+2" process: two years of community college followed by two years of university study lead to a bachelor's degree. Check the transfer agreement between the two schools before enrolling.

Can international students work while studying?

According to EducationUSA, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, with permission from the international student office.