by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Agronomy & Crop Science covers Agronomy And Crop Science. A Program That Focuses On The Chemical, Physical, And Biological Relationships Of Crops And The Soils Nurturing Them. Includes Instruction In The Growth And Behavior Of Agricultural Crops, The Development Of New Plant Varieties, And The Scientific Management Of Soils And Nutrients For Maximum Plant Nutrition, Health, And Productivity. Read on to learn the important information every agronomy & crop science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering agronomy & crop science programs.
Across the country, agronomy & crop science is a widely-pursued major, with 1,201 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Agronomy & Crop Science Schools ranking analyzes these 63 schools to determine the best overall colleges for agronomy & crop science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of agronomy & crop science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Agronomy & Crop Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations agronomy & crop science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a agronomy & crop science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a agronomy & crop science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several agronomy & crop science 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 | 14 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 70 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 691 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 321 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 105 |
People currently working in careers related to agronomy & crop science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in agronomy & crop science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in agronomy & crop science prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to agronomy & crop science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agronomy & crop science.
| 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% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 172,528 | 3.7% |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | 167,331 | 6.9% |
| Agricultural Technicians | 142,810 | 8.4% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of agronomy & crop science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,321 |
| 4 years | $49,331 |
| 5 years | $56,395 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for agronomy & crop science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers agronomy & crop science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $84,680 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $59,587 |
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | $56,932 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Agricultural Technicians | $44,022 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 63 different agronomy & crop science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased agronomy & crop science school rankings to help you.
Those considering agronomy & crop science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Horticultural Science | 903 |
| Plant Sciences, General | 692 |
| Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management | 166 |
| Range Science and Management | 153 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 107 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
