Agriculture Colleges & Universities

Agriculture: An Age-Old Vocation Grows Up
Today, there's a growing sense of recognition of the importance of a high-quality, sustainable food supply. More people are paying attention to the provenance of their food and the conditions in which it was produced, and as a result, interest in agricultural careers - and demand for a future generation of trained specialists in the field - is beginning to intensify.

However, if you think the only career path a degree in agriculture prepares you for is farming, think again. There are hundreds of exciting and rewarding roles open to candidates with degrees in this field, in areas ranging from forestry to animal husbandry and beyond.

Agriculture Degrees
According to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20 million people are employed in agriculture-related industries in the United States alone. Most professional-track positions in this field require a bachelor's degree, although some research positions are restricted to candidates who possess a master's or doctoral degree.

There are dozens of degrees available to students interested in pursuing a course of study in agriculture and related fields. Popular agriculture degrees in these areas of concentration include:
  •   Agricultural business and economics
  •   Range science
  •   Fishery management
  •   Wildlife conservation
  •   Plant sciences
  •   Entomology and weed science
  •   Agricultural education

Although virtually all institutions of higher learning offer degrees in agriculture or related fields, the land-grant universities located in all fifty states often serve as the research hubs for this area of study, offering the most extensive selection of agriculture degrees.

Careers in Agriculture
Government career outlook data indicate that the professional opportunities in agriculture are expected to grow in the years ahead. Agriculture-related fields that are slated for above-average growth include biotechnology, product development, and environmental harm reduction and remediation.