Agronomy · California

Agronomy colleges in California

CampusPin lists 263 U.S. colleges in California that offer Agronomy programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Agronomy applies soil science and crop science to managing field crops and the soils that feed them, training you to improve yield, plant nutrition, and land productivity.

Schools in California that offer Agronomy

Agronomy programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 263 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

263

Public / private

26 / 24

Universities / 2-year

44 / 6

Cities represented

39

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$63,255

Median in-state tuition

$7,989

Lowest published in-state tuition

Barstow Community College

$1,104

Most selective

California Institute of Technology

3% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

California State University-Fullerton

41,793 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Agronomy program

  • Soil science fundamentals: soil formation, texture, structure, water-holding capacity, and classification
  • Soil fertility and plant nutrition: nutrient cycling, soil pH, cation exchange, and fertilizer recommendations
  • Soil and plant tissue sampling and laboratory analysis to diagnose deficiencies
  • Crop physiology, growth staging, and management of major row and forage crops
  • Plant breeding, variety selection, seed quality, and trait development
  • Integrated weed, insect, and disease management, including pesticide selection and label compliance
  • Tillage, cover crops, crop rotation, and conservation practices for soil health and erosion control
  • Irrigation, drainage, and water management for field crops
  • Precision agriculture tools: GPS-guided equipment, yield monitoring, and GIS for site-specific management

Where a Agronomy degree can lead

  • Agronomist
  • Soil and plant scientist
  • Crop consultant or field agronomist
  • Crop scout
  • Plant breeding or seed technician
  • Certified Crop Adviser

Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 soil and plant scientists median $71,410).

Agronomy centers on the chemistry, physics, and biology that link field crops to the soils that nourish them. Coursework moves from soil formation, texture, and structure into nutrient cycling, soil pH and cation exchange, fertility management, and tissue and soil testing. Students study crop physiology and growth stages, plant breeding and variety development, seed quality, weed and pest pressure, and integrated approaches to managing them. Lab and field work involve soil sampling and lab analysis, plot trials, irrigation and drainage, tillage and cover-crop systems, and tools such as GPS-guided equipment, yield monitors, and GIS for site-specific management. Where Agricultural Science surveys crops, livestock, and food systems broadly, agronomy stays on row and forage crops and soils. Horticulture focuses on garden, nursery, and greenhouse crops, while Botany studies plant life and ecosystems as basic science rather than production fields.

Many students enter through a bachelor's degree in agronomy or crop and soil science, often with internships on farms, at seed and fertilizer companies, cooperative extension offices, or USDA agencies. Hands-on hires may start as crop scouts, lab technicians, or field agronomists and advance with experience and added coursework. A widely recognized credential is the Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program offered through the American Society of Agronomy, and the Certified Professional Agronomist designation; some states regulate fertilizer or pesticide recommendations, and applying restricted-use products typically requires a state pesticide applicator license. Graduate study supports research and breeding roles. Pay, demand, and the mix of fieldwork and analysis vary by region, crop, employer, and growing season, so a program is preparation for the field, not a guarantee of a particular role or salary.

In federal data for the closely related occupation of soil and plant scientists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $71,410 and projects employment to grow about 5.4% 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.

Agronomy in other states

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Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 263+ Agronomy programs in California by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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