by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents who major in Food Processing work to ensure that crops and animal products are healthy and safe for consumption.
In this field, you will take classes on nutrition, health and safety standards, food processing and packaging to learn how to improve the quantity and quality of crops. You will spend time studying math, chemistry, business, agricultural economics, and computer science concepts and how they relate to agricultural production. By the time you finish your degree, you will be able to conduct research and help improve farmers' outputs.
A major in Food Processing covers Agricultural And Food Products Processing. Read on to learn the essential details every food processing major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering food processing programs.
In the U.S., food processing is a widely-pursued major, with 168 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Food Processing Schools ranking analyzes these 16 schools to determine the best overall colleges for food processing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of food processing programs later in this article.
Coursework for Food Processing emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations food processing graduates commonly enter.
Food Processing is a great career for anyone who enjoys science and performing experiments. Since the products harvested from farms are being used to feed the general population, it is important that the food is continually tested for nutrition and packaged safely. If you choose to focus on crops, you will work on ways to improve processing, packing, and distributing food. Focusing on animals will allow you to find the best ways to preserve products during distribution and advice farmers on the best way increase production.
A career in Agricultural and Food Products Processing requires analytical and critical-thinking skills. You must be able to analyze data with precision and reach conclusions with good judgment and accuracy. This career also requires a strong background in sciences, specifically nutrition, agronomy and crop science, and food science. Depending on the type of food you wish to study, you may be required to have a background in applied chemistry, animal science, and biology.
The best way to gain experience in this field is through an internship. You will work with experienced scientists to learn how to properly conduct experiments, gather data, and analyze your findings.
The skill set developed in a food processing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a food processing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several food processing 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 | 22 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 29 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 52 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 65 |
People currently working in careers related to food processing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 27.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.6% |
| Some college courses | 7.6% |
| Master’s degree | 7.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in food processing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates who study Food Processing often find jobs as agricultural technicians inspecting food and crops to ensure they comply with safety standards. Other career possibilities include food science technicians, soil and plant scientists, and animal scientists. Typically, food scientists and technologists, as well as soil and plant scientists, earn a bachelor's degree, while most animal scientists earn a Ph.D.
A degree in food processing opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to food processing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to food processing.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Inspectors | 311,559 | -3.9% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Food Science Technicians | 135,157 | 7.3% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of food processing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,677 |
| 4 years | $68,082 |
| 5 years | $73,285 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for food processing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers food processing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Science Technicians | $100,898 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
| Agricultural Inspectors | $24,614 |
With 16 different food processing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased food processing school rankings to help you.
Those considering food processing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural and Food Products Processing | 168 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 9,051 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 8,612 |
| Animal Sciences | 8,295 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | 4,164 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 3,756 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 3,608 |
| Agriculture, General | 3,276 |
| Plant Sciences | 3,261 |
| Food Science and Technology | 2,269 |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | 1,424 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
