Studies & Degrees in Agronomy

Agronomy is the science of growing crops and managing the soil they grow in. The Ohio State University defines it as the application of biological, chemical and physical principles to crops and cropping systems, so that they turn light and other resources into food, feed and fibre more efficiently. An agronomist advises on what to plant, how to feed and protect the crop, and how to keep the soil productive.

Students start with biology, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, and then move on to the core subjects. At Ohio State these are seed science, data analysis, farm production, integrated pest management, agronomic crops, weed science, plant physiology, soil resource management and farm management. In Spanish-speaking countries and in Brazil, agronomy is taught as a broader engineering degree that also covers animal production, rural engineering, irrigation and the economics of farm businesses.

Qualifications and levels

United States. Agronomy is usually a bachelor's major or a specialisation within a plant science major. At The Ohio State University it is a specialisation of the Horticulture and Crop Science major. Community colleges offer shorter vocational routes: the Associate of Applied Science in Agronomy at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, takes two years (68-69 credits), and graduates can start work or transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. Research and university posts normally require a master's degree or a doctorate.

Spain. The profession is regulated and has two levels. The bachelor's degree (grado) that gives access to the profession of Ingeniero Técnico Agrícola has 240 ECTS credits, including a 12-credit final project (Orden CIN/323/2009). The profession of Ingeniero Agrónomo requires an official master's degree, and bachelor's and master's together must add up to at least 300 ECTS credits (Orden CIN/325/2009). At the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), the Grado en Ingeniería Agrícola holds the EUR-ACE label, has three specialisations (rural mechanisation and construction, crop and livestock farming, and horticulture and gardening) and gives direct access to the Máster en Ingeniería Agronómica. The Universidad de Huelva also teaches a Grado en Ingeniería Agrícola.

Latin America. The usual qualification is the professional title of Ingeniero Agrónomo, a long first degree. At the Universidad de Concepción in Chile the programme lasts 10 semesters and leads to the academic degree of Licenciado en Agronomía and the professional title of Ingeniero Agrónomo. The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile teaches Agronomía as an undergraduate programme and follows it with master's programmes, such as the Magíster en Fisiología y Producción Vegetal, and doctorates. In Argentina, the Universidad Nacional de La Plata offers Ingeniería Agronómica alongside shorter university technician programmes in agroecology. In Brazil the degree is called Agronomia; the Universidade Federal de Goiás teaches it at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Where to study agronomy

SpainExchange lists 30 schools for agronomy. The United States has the most (8), followed by Brazil (5), Spain (3), Chile (3), and Argentina, Colombia and Mexico (2 each); there are also schools in Greece, Slovenia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. The language of instruction follows the country: English in the United States, Spanish in Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America, and Portuguese in Brazil. In Greece, Perrotis College in Thessaloniki runs a study abroad programme for visiting students.

Agronomy is tied to local crops, soils and climate, so the place of study shapes the content. When comparing programmes, look at the university's experimental farms and field stations, the crops and production systems it specialises in, the amount of practical work, and whether the degree gives access to a regulated profession in the country where you want to work. A degree obtained abroad may need official recognition before you can practise as an agricultural engineer in Spain.

Careers

Agronomists work as crop advisers and consultants, farm and agribusiness managers, seed and plant-protection specialists, soil scientists, researchers and extension officers. The Universidad de Concepción lists the management of agricultural businesses, trade in farm inputs and products, food production and processing, sustainable management of natural resources, and research institutions among the fields of work.

In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counted about 37,400 agricultural and food scientists in 2025, of whom 19,900 were soil and plant scientists. It projects employment to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035. Food manufacturing is the largest employer, with 18 percent of jobs. According to the BLS, these scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and employers may prefer or require a master's or doctoral degree.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between agronomy and agricultural engineering?

Agronomy in the strict sense is crop and soil science. In Spain and Latin America the related degrees are engineering degrees with a wider scope, which add rural construction, machinery, irrigation and livestock production to crop science.

How long does it take to become an agronomist?

It depends on the country. In Spain the bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering has 240 ECTS credits, and the Ingeniero Agrónomo profession requires a master's degree on top, for at least 300 ECTS in total. At the Universidad de Concepción in Chile the Ingeniero Agrónomo programme lasts 10 semesters. A two-year associate degree is an entry route in the United States.

Do I need a master's degree to work in agronomy?

Not always. In the United States a bachelor's degree is the typical entry requirement, according to the BLS, although employers may prefer a master's or doctorate. In Spain, the regulated profession of Ingeniero Agrónomo requires an official master's degree.

In which language is agronomy taught?

In the language of the country: English at the schools in the United States, Spanish in Spain, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico, and Portuguese in Brazil.