by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 44 U.S. colleges awarded 1,708 degrees and certificates in Agricultural Economics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 81% of graduates. College Factual ranks 27 schools in its 2027 Best Agricultural Economics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $49,738 one year after completing, rising to $67,333 after four years.
A major in Agricultural Economics explores Agricultural Economics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Economics To The Analysis Of Resource Allocation, Productivity, Investment, And Trends In The Agricultural Sector, Both Domestically And Internationally. Includes Instruction In Economics And Related Subfields As Well As Applicable Agricultural Fields. Examples: [Agroeconomics].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, agricultural economics is a popular field of study, with 1,708 degrees awarded annually. 44 colleges award agricultural economics degrees, an average of 39 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 349.
By level, the 1,708 awards include 5 certificates, 42 associate degrees, 1,383 bachelor’s degrees, 239 master’s degrees and 37 doctorates.
Women earned 38% of agricultural economics degrees and certificates in the latest year (645 of 1,708). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,102) and Hispanic or Latino (174), and international students earned 129.
College Factual ranks 27 schools in its 2027 Best Agricultural Economics Schools ranking, including 23 for bachelor’s degrees, 7 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks agricultural economics schools within 22 states. In all, 44 colleges offer agricultural economics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Agricultural Economics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common agricultural economics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,383 of the 1,708 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to agricultural economics call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Instructing, and for knowledge of Mathematics, Education and Training and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an agricultural economics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 42 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,383 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 239 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 37 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to agricultural economics, at 71.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 71.0% |
| Master’s degree | 12.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Agricultural Economics, with an average median salary of $74,268; the strongest outlook belongs to Economists, at 11.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Professor, Associate Professor, College Professor and Agricultural Economics Professor.
The occupation related to agricultural economics with the most projected jobs is Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 830,747.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 297,433 | 4.5% |
| Environmental Economists | 77,620 | 8.5% |
| Economists | 38,399 | 11.4% |
Agricultural Economics graduates earn a median $49,738 one year after completing their program, $67,333 after four years and $66,296 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,738 |
| 4 years | $67,333 |
| 5 years | $66,296 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to agricultural economics is Environmental Economists, with a median salary of $86,726.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Environmental Economists | $86,726 |
| Economists | $73,611 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,831 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,903 |
Agricultural Economics has 6 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 7,212 degrees a year; the largest are Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations (3,788), Agricultural Business and Management, General (2,258) and Farm/Farm and Ranch Management (759). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
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