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.