by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture covers Agroecology And Sustainable Agriculture. A Program That Focuses On Agricultural Principles And Practices That, Over The Long Term, Enhance Environmental Quality, Make Efficient Use Of Nonrenewable Resources, Integrate Natural Biological Cycles And Controls, And Are Economically Viable And Socially Responsible; And That May Prepare Individuals To Apply This Knowledge To The Solution Of Agricultural And Environmental Problems. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Agroecology, Crop And Soil Sciences, Entomology, Horticulture, Animal Science, Weed Science And Management, Soil Fertility And Nutrient Cycling, Applied Ecology, Agricultural Economics, And Rangeland Ecology And Watershed Management. Examples: [Agroecology], [Sustainable Agriculture], [Organic Farming]. Continue reading for the important information every agroecology & sustainable agriculture major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering agroecology & sustainable agriculture programs.
In the U.S., agroecology & sustainable agriculture draws strong interest, with 769 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Schools ranking analyzes these 75 schools to determine the best overall colleges for agroecology & sustainable agriculture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of agroecology & sustainable agriculture programs later in this article.
Studies in Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a agroecology & sustainable agriculture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a agroecology & sustainable agriculture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several agroecology & sustainable agriculture 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 | 49 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 107 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 319 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 266 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 24 |
People currently working in careers related to agroecology & sustainable agriculture tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 36.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 14.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
| Some college courses | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in agroecology & sustainable agriculture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in agroecology & sustainable agriculture opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to agroecology & sustainable agriculture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agroecology & sustainable agriculture.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 497,622 | 4.3% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | 231,384 | 14.7% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
| Park Naturalists | 46,677 | 9.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,195 |
| 4 years | $41,174 |
| 5 years | $47,624 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers agroecology & sustainable agriculture grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,966 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Range Managers | $59,935 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 75 different agroecology & sustainable agriculture programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased agroecology & sustainable agriculture school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in agroecology & sustainable agriculture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production | 841 |
| Agricultural Production Operations, General | 820 |
| Crop Production | 516 |
| Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management | 458 |
| Aquaculture | 127 |
| Dairy Husbandry and Production | 60 |
| Agricultural Production Operations, Other | 17 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
