by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Aquaculture involves the study of Aquaculture. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Select, Culture, Propagate, Harvest, And Market Domesticated Fish, Shellfish, And Marine Plants, Both Freshwater And Saltwater. Includes Instruction In The Basic Principles Of Aquatic And Marine Biology; Health And Nutrition Of Aquatic And Marine Life; Design And Operation Of Fish Farms, Breeding Facilities, Culture Beds, And Related Enterprises; And Related Issues Of Safety, Applicable Regulations, Logistics, And Supply. Read on to learn the key facts every aquaculture major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering aquaculture programs.
Nationwide, aquaculture is a widely-pursued major, with 127 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Aquaculture Schools ranking analyzes these 17 schools to determine the best overall colleges for aquaculture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of aquaculture programs later in this article.
Coursework for Aquaculture emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations aquaculture graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a aquaculture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a aquaculture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several aquaculture 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 | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 12 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 47 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 52 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to aquaculture tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 49.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 24.1% |
| Master’s degree | 12.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Some college courses | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in aquaculture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in aquaculture opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to aquaculture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to aquaculture.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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 aquaculture graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 aquaculture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers aquaculture grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 17 different aquaculture programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased aquaculture school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in aquaculture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
