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What is Agronomy and Crop Science?

Agronomy and crop science is a field of study focused on fusing technology and science to produce plants for food, fiber, farming, fuel, and land reclamation.  Agronomy is built upon a number of science disciplines such as chemistry, economics, biology, genetics, earth science, and ecology.  Additionally, agronomy and crop science degree holders study to plant genetics, meteorology, plant physiology, soil science, irrigation, crop rotation, soil fertility, erosion control, insect management, pest control, and plant breeding.

What Agronomy Students Learn in College

The curriculum in agronomy degrees will be focused on learning the technical and practical nature of crop production.  Classes will depend on the school's curriculum but generally include similar concepts.  Students will invest substantive time to understand crops and plant production as related to agronomy factors.  Examples of agronomy basics include the industrial use of food, human consumption, domestic utilization, food quality, real-time monitoring, chemical analysis, nutritional composition, food testing, biological indicators, standardized reporting, and chemical indicators.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$62,920

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

41.09%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

36,100

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Agronomy and Crop Science Degree

Cornell University is one of the top ranked research universities in the US and is the State's first land-grant university. Cornell offers qualified students some of the most rigorous academic programs in the nation. Cornell University currently has over 23,000 students enrolled. Students in the agronomy and crop science degree work on projects ranging from advancing practices for managing sustainable field crop production and soil biogeochemistry to provide positive changes to climate change. Students will also work on projects that will teach them about: geospatial land processes, molecular genomic, and environment concerns. Many faculty members research international agricultural and environmental issues in tropical and subtropical regions.

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Florida in Gainesville is recognized as one of the three largest campuses within the United States and is the most prestigious university within the state. As a Public Ivy, the university has a campus size of more than 2,000 acres that houses world-class facilities including over 100 research centers, institutes, and colleges. The Agronomy and crop program will teach students about: plant physiology, ecology, management and nutrition, weed science, and plant breeding and genetics. The continuing need for increased plant production for food, fiber and energy to satisfy the stress of a rapidly escalating population is reflected in departmental research programs.

Acceptance Rate

36.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of California - Davis has been serving students through its research programs and various academic programs including undergraduate and graduate degrees. It houses fine faculty members that have won and succeeded on several globally recognized achievements. It has a program that focuses on agronomy which allows students to have knowledge and participate on activities in crop science, horticulture, livestock, turfgrass science, soil and water science, environment, management of natural resources, and more. The program prepares students by developing their skills and knowledge to face real world challenges and issues in agriculture and environment.

Acceptance Rate

38.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

The University of Maryland is one among the nation's finest public universities that offers research and academic excellence. It is home to more than 400,000 students, faculty and staff, and alumni who are all dedicated to creating fearless ideas. The university offers a program focusing on agronomy with a purpose to help students have a sustainable perspective of agronomy while obtaining guidance from faculty members that use a holistic approach for teaching various coursework. The science of agronomy and crop program has a curriculum focusing on the science of soil, agriculture, and crop, as well as agricultural economics and pest management. The program also allows students to choose a variety of electives that allow them to develop their own curriculum and depth of data in areas that meet their academic and professional goals. Through its comprehensive approach in education, the graduates are prepared to work, operate, and manage the agricultural industry in such areas including marketing, support services, agricultural extension, management, teaching, and more. In addition, students who have completed their degree are prepared to enter into graduate school.

Acceptance Rate

44.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Georgia is recognized for being a highly diversified university in Athens, Georgia that concentrates on providing quality research and academics to its students and faculty. The university houses thousands of international and local students who are able to take graduate and undergraduate degrees in a broad range of majors and minors including biological sciences, humanities, physical sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences, business, ecology, environmental design, journalism, agronomy, education, public health, law, pharmacy, and medicine. It also has a top agronomy and crop science course in which students can learn to apply basic scientific knowledge to solve agricultural problems.

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

The San Luis Obispo of California Polytechnic State University is a public institution that provides four-year degree courses since 1901. Students enrolled at the university will participate in hands-on learning experiences, research, industry projects and more while earning your degree. This practice-orientated approach to graduate education gives you the advanced knowledge and leadership skills necessary to hit the bottom running and make a difference in your career from day one. Environmental earth and soil science students work to enhance the delicate relationship between humans and therefore the natural environment. They sustainably manage our utilization of land, water and other natural resources, and check out to scale back the consequences of global climate change.

Acceptance Rate

28.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

College of the Ozarks, a nonprofit private institution, offers an outsized number of program options, allowing students to settle on which major is true for them. The school resides during a rural setting for college kids to review in. The school maintains a Presbyterian Church affiliation. Approximately thousand students are enrolled annually at school in the Ozarks. It offers a degree in agriculture wherein students will learn about various knowledge and skills for this dynamic and diversified field. Students of the program will learn through humanistic discipline using the practical and scientific components of agricultural production. Through the university's department of agronomy, students will enjoy the strong educational program including real-life experiences in on-campus farm management, farm production, and internships at the professional industry. The program aims to provide students with an expanding demand within the humanistic discipline alongside the sensible, technical, and scientific aspects of agriculture. It also seeks to develop the skills, knowledge, and etiquettes of students and graduates who will embody the university's vision and mission.

Acceptance Rate

10.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The University of Connecticut is a prestigious public university that offers research and academic programs for the people of New England and the world. It offers hundreds of majors and minors through its undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The agronomy degree of UConn aims to supply students with everything that they will need in the field including cover cropping, engineering, pasture management, livestock, manure management, soil management, vegetable production, and farming techniques during a changing climate. Students will also learn about weed management, farm viability, food safety, and farm energy. The program also allows students to work with individual farmers to help them deal with their specific educational and career goals. Through this, students will know how to create a healthy soil and restore and protect the quality of water.

Acceptance Rate

49.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

North Carolina State University has a main campus located in Raleigh, North Carolina that is known for being one among the simplest universities in the United States that provides high-quality education and research to its students and faculty. Since agriculture is one of the most important fields that greatly affects the industry and society, the university has developed a program in agronomy that focuses on training students to become crop and soil scientists. With the skills and knowledge that helps feed a growing world population while protecting water resources and the environment, and addressing climate change and sustainable agriculture, the graduates of this program are able to pursue a meaningful career and public service in the field. The program also offers various courses, activities, and internships that help students gain understanding how the environment impacts crop productivity, how the plants grow, and how to manage business.

Acceptance Rate

45.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The University of Illinois at Urbana is known for its quality research and academics while also being the oldest member of University of Illinois System. It has several graduates, undergraduate, certificate, and professional programs that are recognized for its world-class curriculum. Through its Department of Crop Science, the university offers an agronomy degree wherein students will be taught about plant breeding, crop production, insect pest management, herbicide mode of action, plant physiology, and crop growth and development. For more than 30 years, the department has been providing skilled agronomists through their diversified academic and training programs.

Acceptance Rate

59.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, Texas A&M University is surrounded by natural resources that helps students study agriculture, marine life, environment, and more. Since 1872, the university was known as the first public institution in the state that provides a wide range of higher learning programs for its diverse students. One of its degree programs includes the Agronomy and Crop Science is nationally recognized for its world-class quality curriculum. Texas has a wide agribusiness and agriculture courses that provides opportunities for students to achieve their academic and career goals through various educational and research activities.

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Purdue University is located in West Lafayette and offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs for its local and international students. It is known for being an excellent institution for research, offering a discovery park that houses various nanotechnology facilities for different fields of study including engineering, agriculture, and environmental studies. The graduates of Purdue's agriculture programs are able to attend graduate school or have an outstanding career in the field. For more than two decades, the program also allows students to participate in elective courses and activities beyond their major to prepare them in the professional industry.

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Virginia Polytechnic Institute offers world-class and high-quality research, training, and academic programs through its more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees. It is composed of various colleges and schools that offer research centers, student lounges, and more. One of its programs is agronomy wherein students can learn to protect the environment while producing food crops as well as the improvement of soil and the fundamentals of plant science. Students enrolled in the program will study courses that are relevant for today's industry while also helping to shape the future. Students will also have opportunities to become involved and experienced environmental sciences that prepares them for a wide range of careers.

Acceptance Rate

70.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Located in Burlington, Vermont, the University of Vermont provides various educational opportunities for its approximately 14,000 students from all over the states and the world. Farming and agriculture are one of the top programs at the University of Vermont that uses long-accepted methodologies to provide a more sustainable use of the world's natural resources. As an Agroecology major, students will gain a solid foundation in the natural sciences with hands-on experience during farm practices, field trips, and internships wherein they will apply their skills and knowledge to help grow the future with science-based, community-oriented knowledge.

Acceptance Rate

67.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

As one of the biggest public institutions around the states, Mississippi State University has a mission to provide a variety of educational and research opportunities for students through assisting them in their personal, academics, and career growth and development. It serves nearly 20,000 students each year who are enrolled on its diverse programs including the Plant and Soil Sciences that was developed by the Department of Agriculture. Students of the programs are taking courses that concentrate in horticulture, agronomy, weed science, environment, food systems, manufacturing, livestock, crop physiology, molecular biology, and plant management wherein they can obtain graduate or undergraduate degrees depending on their educational needs.

Acceptance Rate

53.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Auburn University in Alabama offers nearly 150 academic degree programs wherein students can earn undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree levels. With several schools and colleges, the university is recognized as one of the largest institutions in its area that provides a comprehensive curriculum in arts and applied sciences. Some of its nationally-ranked programs include pharmacy, architecture, engineering, business, and medicine among others. Students who are taking the crop and soil degree program will study to better understand the natural foundation of the industry. Graduates of this program will learn to sustain, protect, and maintain the natural environment while producing fiber, food, and other resources that improve today's and future society.

Acceptance Rate

80.67

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The University of Arkansas has developed various degree programs in diverse fields of study including history, engineering, drama, geosciences, accounting, landscape architect, and animal science. Students can enroll in graduate, undergraduate, certificate, study abroad, and professional programs wherein they can participate in research, activities, and inventions. The university is equipped with faculty who are recognized worldwide for their outstanding achievements. Its graduates include leaders of top executive international and national companies, as well as award-winning scientists, writers, and more. It has a program that concentrates on agronomy that creates a well-rounded curriculum related to all areas of crop science such as pest management, and the genetics and breeding of plants. Upon completion of the program requirements, students can continue to pursue their studies in graduate school or begin their careers in the field of agriculture.

Acceptance Rate

77.09

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Oklahoma State University is recognized for providing excellent academic programs through its more than 17 schools and colleges as well as state-of-the-art facilities, centers, and laboratories. It has a degree that focuses on plant and soil sciences education designed to allow students to have blended learning in applied agronomy, science, production, natural resources, and economics. Throughout the programs, students will learn to improve crop production and management as well as discover new plant breeds while learning the latest approaches to sustain crops, plants, vegetables, and fruits.

Acceptance Rate

69.98

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln is known for being the first institutions that provide higher learning for the people of the west Mississippi River. It serves students and the community by establishing an ecology degree program through its sustainable campus that represents nature with its beautiful gardens. It is also known for its excellent academics, research, and internships that helps students achieve success in their fields of interest. Students who are interested in agriculture can enroll in the university's agronomy program wherein they will learn the environmental protection and economic crop production that will help them become prepared for diverse agricultural career opportunities.

Acceptance Rate

78.23

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is known for having historic landmarks and breathtaking landscape architecture on its campus. With more than 200 fields of study, students can obtain various academic levels such as undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and professional degrees. The agriculture technology degree program of the university's college of sciences and arts prepares students to find innovative, unique, and sustainable solutions to the critical environmental challenges such as climate change and pollution. The program is equipped with enthusiastic and knowledgeable faculty who aims to engage students in the process of creating transformative scientific inventions that helps improve the rapidly changing world.

Acceptance Rate

92.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Washington State University aims to provide students with a variety of educational and research opportunities to guide them in their growth and development. Located in Pullman, Washington the university accommodates thousands of students each year who are enrolled on its various programs of study including engineering, business, arts, sciences, and agronomy among others. The university’s Department of Agriculture collaborates with different and known companies in the states to offer a wide range of agricultural knowledge including the management of soils, crops, and resources.

Acceptance Rate

75.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

The University of Arizona in Tucson has been serving the people of Arizona since 1885. Today, the university has three campuses that serve over 35,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students who are enrolled in its programs developed by various colleges and schools. It is home to award-winning faculty that guides and prepares students to create innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges of today's society. One of its bachelor’s degree programs focused on environmental science with the aim to empower students with practical skills in agriculture, science, as well as broaden their knowledge in the environmental impact of agriculture and urbanization, natural resources, food supply, and the restoration of disturbed environments.

Acceptance Rate

84.59

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Located in Stephenville, Texas, Tarleton University provides a wide variety of program opportunities for students with the mission to guide them in their personal, academic, and professional growth. More than 11,000 students are enrolled in the university yearly. It also offers a program with a concentration on environmental and crop science wherein students can earn a bachelor's degree upon completing the program requirements. Students of the program will learn about the geological, biological, and human factors affecting the quality of the environment. Through its broad coursework and hands-on learning, students will discover various areas of environmental sciences.

Acceptance Rate

55.77

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

New Mexico State University is widely recognized for providing various areas of study including education, nursing, pharmacy, business, arts, communication, architecture, law, and more. It is home to hundreds of highly skilled faculty, staff, and alumni who are dedicated to help its students to become successful in the industry. With the aim to manage the production of food resources of the world, the university has developed a program concentrating in agronomy. Students of this program will learn the techniques to produce and sustain crops while also promoting biodiversity and the improvement of water resources.

Acceptance Rate

54.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill has a mission to provide transformative experiences to its students through academic and research opportunities. Students can enroll in various fields of study wherein they can earn undergraduate, graduate, certificate, professional, and dual degrees. It provides an agronomy minor for students who are interested to broaden their knowledge and skills in the field. The faculty teaches a curriculum that provides students with an opportunity to pursue a career in agricultural product sales, field and laboratory work, crop management consulting, extension work, or regulatory agency inspection.

Acceptance Rate

53.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Crop Science & Agronomy Degrees

Earning a degree in agronomy and/or crop science can be done so with a variety of programs.  Undergraduate degrees through graduate degrees in the field is effectively doubled when considering online degrees.  The advent of distance learning or online learning has provided students with a degree of flexibility and independence not found in a traditional college degree.

In addition, most students realize a significant cost savings when considering housing and opportunity cost of lost hours working.   To discover online college degree options or traditional college degrees from top colleges for you, simply connect with schools that fit you below.  Assessments offered test and offered test national for qualified students.  NTC assessments offered as schools such as Ohio State ATI and Rasmussen College accelerated.  Admissions offered test back and assessments offered combination to test national exams.

Agronomy Bachelor's Degrees

Bachelor’s degrees in crop science and agronomy are 4-year programs for full-time students.  Part-time students will take longer to complete a bachelor degree given the pace of the courses and class load.  Bachelor degrees in the field are conferred as a Bachelor of Science (BS) given the science-heavy courses in the degree.

Agronomy students will be exposed to a broad array of training in plant science, soil science, and crop production technology.  Science-rich classes are coupled with liberal arts classes such as communications, philosophy, psychology, history, and art to provide students with a well-balanced education.

Curriculum in the core will be a combination of classroom lectures, seminars, and labs to help bring concepts to life for a soil scientist of all levels.  Examples of classes found in the bachelor program include crop production, soils, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural marketing, plant sciences, natural resources management, plant biology, plant ecology, plant physiology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, crop sciences, physics, soil fertility, plant nutrient management, agricultural computations, genetics, pest and insect management, soil microbiology, weed science, bioethics, agricultural data mapping, and food systems.

Agronomy Master's Degrees

On-site or online master degrees in agronomy and crop science are available at a number of accredited colleges and universities.  Master degrees in the field of study are conferred as Masters of Science (MS).  An MS program will take students approximately 2-years of full-time matriculation to complete after all lower-level degree requirements are met.

Upper-level classes in crop science and agronomy will typically be selected by students.  Under the tutelage of an academic advisor, a graduate student can select an area of emphasis along with a track that includes or excludes a thesis project.  For those choosing the non-thesis track, they will need to take additional classes approved by their academic advisor.

Core curriculum will be a function of the area of emphasis of each student.  Areas of concentration for graduate students can include disciplines such as soils, plant pathology, weeds, entomology, precision agriculture, genetics, natural resource management, breeding, production systems, crop systems, seed production, or organic crop management.

PhD in Agronomy & Crop Science

Doctoral degrees in crop science and agronomy are conferred as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) as most colleges and universities.  PhD programs will take 3-5 years to complete as a function of credits required to complete the program and course load.

For example, for students coming into a PhD program with a qualifying master’s degree will complete the program much faster than students entering the program with a qualifying bachelor’s degree.  Doctoral degrees in agronomy and crop science are research-intensive programs that are designed for students looking to extend the knowledge base in the field.

Crop Science & Agricultural College Requirements

In terms of educational requirements, Agronomy and Crop Science degree holders will have typically studied the following courses while in college after being offered combination test and plan NTC assessments.

Employment in Agriculture, Soil Sciences, Agronomy

For students that earn a college degree in Agronomy and Crop Science, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue. The options range from chemist, food scientist, materials scientist, rancher, environmental scientist, forester, geoscientist, mathematician, hydrologist, physicist, postsecondary teacher, biological technician, conservation scientist, microbiologist, zoologist, and wildlife biologist.

Where Do Crop Management Majors Work?

Students graduating with a degree in agronomy or crop science will have taken a broad array of classes. The variety of courses can help students determine an area of concentration that can take them into a number of fields in crop science. Examples of areas of specializations supported by the ASA and CSSA include the following list of career tracks in agronomic and horticultural fields of study:

  • Pest Management: mutations, variations, chemical effects of pests by crop type and region
  • Molecular Biology: biochemistry, cultures, pathogen interactions, & plant physiology
  • Plant Pathology: control, measurement, epidemiology, mycology, bacteriology, nematology, & virology
  • Plant Breeding & Genetics: molecular genetics, cytogenetics, & quantitative genetics
  • Crop Management: crop ecology, crop management, farm management, business management, crop production, & plant nutrition
  • Weed Science: ecology, herbicides, biology, control, & safety
  • Biometry: bioinformatics, experimental design, & data analysis

Crop Science and Agronomy Jobs

The job growth in the Agronomy and Crop Science domain are at and above average. For example, the rate of job growth for agronomy is expected to rise 7% while plant scientist expect to see a 9% bump. Given the nature of the Agronomy and Crop Science degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location.

Agronomy majors and food scientists average $62,910 a year. Meanwhile, soil scientists average $62,430 a year on average. Both disciplines are paying well above average with the growth prospects trending above average. The largest employers of agronomy majors is colleges, consulting firms, research firms, food wholesalers, and the federal government.

Careers in crop science and agronomy will be a function of a students degree, area of emphasis, work experience, employment opportunities, and demand in the marketplace. Employers can vary from government agencies to farm service agencies and from agricultural research firms to natural resource management organizations. A cross-section of careers can include:

  • Crop Consulting
  • Plant Research
  • Pesticide Management
  • Seed Development
  • Plant Science
  • Genomics
  • Crop Research
  • Fertilizer Management
  • Seed Production Management

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