by our College Data Analytics TeamAgricultural Economics was the 300th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,912 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 12.0% reduction in ag economics degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 2,141.
Our 2023 Best Agricultural Economics Schools ranking analyzes 34 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for agricultural economics students. Explore this or one of our many other custom ag economics rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
A major in ag economics prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Required skills include communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
agricultural economics degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional ag economics certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of ag economics degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in agricultural economics to something that takes less time like a . Agricultural Economics programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ag economics, with approximately 57.8% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for ag economics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 57.7% |
| Master’s Degree | 24.6% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 9.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 3.1% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 3.0% |
68.2% of ag economics workers have at least a doctorate. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in agricultural economics have received.
The education level required is different depending on the ag economics career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your ag economics degree? Agricultural Economics careers are expected to grow 6.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agricultural economics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economists | 22,600 | 6.1% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for ag economics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for agricultural economics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ag economics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Economists | $116,020 |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
With over 122 different ag economics degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased ag economics school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Agricultural Economics & Business area of study, Agricultural Economics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations | 3,108 |
| Agricultural Business | 2,150 |
| Farm/Farm & Ranch Management | 537 |
| Agricultural/Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling | 204 |
| Agricultural Business & Management | 139 |
