by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Farm/Farm & Ranch Management explores Farm/farm And Ranch Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage Farms, Ranches, And Similar Enterprises. Includes Instruction In Applicable Agricultural Specialization, Business Management, Accounting, Taxation, Capitalization, Purchasing, Government Programs And Regulations, Operational Planning And Budgeting, Contracts And Negotiation, And Estate Planning. Continue reading for the key facts every farm/farm & ranch management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering farm/farm & ranch management programs.
In the U.S., farm/farm & ranch management draws strong interest, with 668 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools ranking analyzes these 47 schools to determine the best overall colleges for farm/farm & ranch management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of farm/farm & ranch management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Farm/Farm & Ranch Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations farm/farm & ranch management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a farm/farm & ranch management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a farm/farm & ranch management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several farm/farm & ranch management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 360 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 106 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 126 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 76 |
People currently working in careers related to farm/farm & ranch management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 57.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in farm/farm & ranch management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in farm/farm & ranch management prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to farm/farm & ranch management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to farm/farm & ranch management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of farm/farm & ranch management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,730 |
| 4 years | $57,738 |
| 5 years | $66,345 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for farm/farm & ranch management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers farm/farm & ranch management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 47 different farm/farm & ranch management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased farm/farm & ranch management school rankings to help you.
Those considering farm/farm & ranch management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations | 3,573 |
| Agricultural Business and Management, General | 2,188 |
| Agricultural Economics | 1,768 |
| Agricultural/Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling | 243 |
| Agricultural Business and Management, Other | 137 |
| Agricultural Business Technology/Technician | 35 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
