by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you dream of ending world hunger? Take the first steps by majoring in International Agriculture.
A degree in International Agriculture will give you the opportunity to understand why food is unequally distributed throughout the world. You will learn about the political, economic, and social factors surrounding agriculture while your classes dive into agribusiness in foreign countries and global environmental issues.
While there are a few schools that offer International Agriculture as a major, you will most often find it offered as a certificate program or a minor. You will choose a certain country or area of the world to concentrate on and learn about their agribusiness.
Studying International Agriculture covers International Agriculture. Continue reading for the key facts every international agriculture student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international agriculture programs.
Nationwide, international agriculture is a widely-pursued major, with 207 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Agriculture Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international agriculture students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international agriculture programs later in this article.
Programs in International Agriculture develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international agriculture graduates commonly enter.
With a degree in International Agriculture, you can work in foreign countries to help them improve and develop their agriculture. You will analyze problems with the current agriculture business and plan new strategies to alleviate issues.
Since you will be dealing with foreign countries, part of your studies may involve travel. Many students in this major complete study abroad programs or travel upon completing their Majoring in International Agriculture may give you the opportunity to travel abroad once you finish your degree. You must be open to traveling and comfortable going to foreign countries. Creativity and innovation are important skills, as you will encounter unforeseen problems and new environments. Be prepared to face unique challenges and come up with solutions.
It would be beneficial to work a summer job, internship, or at a Co-op to gain agricultural experience. A work abroad or study abroad program would provide you with relevant and valuable experience as you pursue a career in International Agriculture.
The skill set built by a international agriculture program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a international agriculture major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 75 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 132 |
People currently working in careers related to international agriculture tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 43.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 21.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 19.0% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international agriculture careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A career in International Agriculture will make you an attractive candidate in today's global market. Many people who major in this field work for the United Nations, the State Department, multinational agricultural corporations, or join international volunteer groups, such as the Peace Corps or the Foreign Service.
Majoring in international agriculture opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to international agriculture.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international agriculture.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | 76,219 | -4.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of international agriculture graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,222 |
| 4 years | $46,231 |
| 5 years | $58,234 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international agriculture graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international agriculture grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $55,930 |
With 10 different international agriculture programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international agriculture school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in international agriculture, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Agriculture | 207 |
| 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.
