Agricultural Science major
Agricultural Science: courses, careers, and where to study
Agricultural Science studies how crops, livestock, and soils are produced and improved, for students who want to apply biology and chemistry to farming and food systems.
Agricultural Science is the study of how food, fiber, and other crops and livestock are grown, raised, and improved using the principles of biology, chemistry, and earth science. Students learn the fundamentals of plant cultivation, animal husbandry, and soil behavior, then apply them to real production questions: how to manage soil fertility and conservation, how to protect crops from pests and disease, how to breed and feed animals, and how to run farming, ranching, and agribusiness operations efficiently and sustainably. The major is broad and practical rather than narrowly research-focused, which distinguishes it from more specialized crop- or biology-only tracks and from agricultural engineering, where the emphasis shifts toward designing machinery, irrigation systems, and structures rather than managing the living and soil systems themselves.
Most agricultural scientist roles begin with a bachelor's degree, and programs combine classroom science with field plots, greenhouse work, animal facilities, and laboratory analysis of soil, water, plants, and feed. Many programs include a research project, internship, or supervised practicum on a working farm, station, or extension office so students gain hands-on production and data-collection experience. Some technical positions, especially in food safety, pesticide handling, or specialized laboratory work, may require state licensure or certification, which students should verify for their state and intended role; programmatic accreditation can also vary, so confirm a program's standing directly. Graduates work for farms and ranches, seed, crop-input, and food-processing companies, cooperative extension and government agencies, research stations, and consulting firms that advise producers on crops, soils, and operations.
In federal data for the closely related occupation of food scientists and technologists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $85,310 and projects employment to grow about 6.5% from 2024 to 2034; a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.
Academic classification (CIP)
In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Agricultural Science maps to CIP 01.0000, Agriculture, General, within the AGRICULTURAL/ANIMAL/PLANT/VETERINARY SCIENCE AND RELATED FIELDS family. The official definition:
A program that focuses on the general principles and practice of agricultural research and production and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of practical agricultural problems. Includes instruction in basic animal, plant, and soil science; animal husbandry and plant cultivation; soil conservation; and agricultural operations such as farming, ranching, and agricultural business.
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov
What credential Agricultural Science is awarded as
Of the 3,202 Agricultural Science credentials U.S. colleges reported conferring in 2023-24:
- Certificate5%146
- Associate26%841
- Bachelor's58%1,860
- Graduate11%355
CampusPin does not have enough states reporting this field to say whether the mix changes from state to state. See the full study.
Credentials conferred in 2023-24, U.S. Department of Education IPEDS completions. A certificate is a different credential from a degree, not a lesser one, and this counts what was awarded rather than what a college currently offers.
What you'll study
- Plant and crop science, including cultivation, breeding, and yield management
- Animal science and husbandry covering nutrition, health, and reproduction
- Soil science, fertility, and soil and water conservation methods
- Pest, weed, and disease management using integrated and chemical approaches
- Agricultural chemistry and laboratory analysis of soil, plant, and feed samples
- Field and greenhouse research methods, experimental plots, and data collection
- Agricultural economics, farm operations, and agribusiness management
- Sustainable production, resource stewardship, and environmental impact
- Use of agricultural technology such as precision-agriculture tools and field sensors
Typical careers
- Agricultural Scientist
- Food Scientist
- Soil Scientist
- Crop Consultant
- Agronomist
- Agricultural Extension Specialist
Typical salary range: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 food scientists and technologists median $85,310).Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.
Related occupations
Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Agricultural Science, with what each one pays and how many openings it is projected to average each year. Ordered by projected annual openings, largest first. Linked titles open the full CampusPin career page.
| Occupation | Median pay | Openings / yr | Projected change | Most entrants hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Technicians | $46,790 | 2,900 | +4.3% | Associate's degree |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $71,410 | 1,700 | +5.4% | Bachelor's degree |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,310 | 1,200 | +6.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $86,350 | 800 | +4.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Animal Scientists | $79,120 | 200 | +5.8% | Bachelor's degree |
Crosswalk: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. Pay, openings and projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024 wages, Employment Projections). 5 of these 5 occupations report a median wage.
“Most entrants hold” is what BLS observes about people already working in the occupation. It is not a legal requirement, not an admission rule, and not a guarantee of entry. Studying Agricultural Science does not guarantee any specific occupation, and many of these roles are entered from several different fields. Projected openings are a projection, not jobs promised.
Before you commit to a Agricultural Science major
CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Agricultural Science program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.
Ask the Agricultural Science department
- Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
- What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
- What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?
Ask current students & check the curriculum
- How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
- What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
- Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
- How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Find a Agricultural Science program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.
Colleges that awarded the most Agricultural Science credentials
Largest by credentials conferred in 2023-24. This measures the size of the graduating class, not quality, and it is not a ranking.
- Blinn College DistrictTX · 134
- Illinois State UniversityIL · 114
- Connors State CollegeOK · 109
- Tarleton State UniversityTX · 95
- Stephen F Austin State UniversityTX · 85
- Cornell UniversityNY · 82
- South Dakota State UniversitySD · 82
- Oregon State UniversityOR · 80
- Prairie View A & M UniversityTX · 75
- Western Illinois UniversityIL · 62
- Texas State UniversityTX · 61
- Utah State UniversityUT · 59
Based on credentials this institution reported conferring in the federal IPEDS completions collection for 2023-24. It confirms the field was awarded that year, not that the program currently accepts students, and it covers only the fields CampusPin tracks. Confirm current offerings with the institution.
Where Agricultural Science credentials were awarded
7 states have a distinct enough set of Agricultural Science colleges to be worth its own page.
Search Agricultural Science schools by state
- Agricultural Science in California
- Agricultural Science in Florida
- Agricultural Science in Georgia
- Agricultural Science in Illinois
- Agricultural Science in Maryland
- Agricultural Science in Massachusetts
- Agricultural Science in New York
- Agricultural Science in North Carolina
- Agricultural Science in Pennsylvania
- Agricultural Science in Texas
Related majors
Biology
Biology is the foundational pre-health major, covering molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological levels of living systems.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science combines biology, chemistry, geology, and policy to address climate, conservation, water, and pollution challenges.
Chemistry
Chemistry studies matter and its transformations, preparing graduates for pharmaceutical, materials, energy, environmental, and biotech careers, plus medical and graduate school.
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural engineering applies engineering design to farming and food systems, fitting students who want to build the machinery, water systems, and facilities behind food, feed, and fiber.
Microbiology
Microbiology studies microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, suiting students aiming for lab research, biotech, public health, and clinical or pharmaceutical work.
Put this major in context
The salary above is an occupation-wide median from federal data, not a starting wage or a guarantee. These CampusPin guides and reports help you read it well, see where a Agricultural Science degree can lead, and weigh it against cost and program quality.
Explore Science & Research careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
Explore Education & Library careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
How one major leads to many careers
Why a single Agricultural Science degree can open more than one path, and how to read the occupations above.
Why a median wage is not a starting salary
How to read a BLS median, and why early-career pay usually sits below it.
When accreditation and licensure matter
How program accreditation and state licensure can shape a Agricultural Science path before you enroll.
Does a pricier college pay off?
How college cost lines up with graduation and earnings, an association, not a ranking.
Does picking a major narrow your college list?
Across the federal completions data, most fields barely change which colleges are on the table. Which ones genuinely do.
Certificate or degree?
What credential a field is usually awarded as is mostly set by the field itself, not by the state, with a short list of exceptions.
How this guide is sourced
This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.