by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Crop Production involves the study of Crop Production. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Cultivate Grain, Fiber, Forage, Oilseed, Fruits And Nuts, Vegetables, And Other Domesticated Plant Products. Includes Instruction In Basic Principles Of Plant Science, Health, And Nutrition As Applied To Particular Species And Breeds; Soil Preparation And Irrigation; Pest Management; Planting And Harvesting Operations; Product Marketing; And Applicable Issues Of Safety, Regulation, Logistics, And Supply. Continue reading for the essential details every crop production major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering crop production programs.
Nationwide, crop production is a popular field of study, with 516 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Crop Production Schools ranking analyzes these 50 schools to determine the best overall colleges for crop production students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of crop production programs later in this article.
Programs in Crop Production build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations crop production graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a crop production program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a crop production major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several crop production 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 | 57 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 270 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 30 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 158 |
People currently working in careers related to crop production 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 crop production careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in crop production opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to crop production.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to crop production.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of crop production 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 crop production graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers crop production 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 50 different crop production programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased crop production school rankings to help you.
Students interested in crop production, 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 |
| Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 769 |
| 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.
