by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 38 U.S. colleges awarded 1,001 degrees and certificates in Agricultural Public Services. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 20 schools in its 2027 Best Agricultural Public Services Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,101 one year after completing, rising to $56,197 after four years.
Can't decide between a career in communications or farming? Don't worry, you don't have to. A major in Agricultural Public Services allows you to follow your passion for news, broadcast, teaching, or communications while still being involved in agriculture. As part of a major in Agriculture Public Services you will take classes in advertising, news writing, broadcast, photojournalism, and editing while also learning about agriculture through classes such as animal and plant science, agribusiness, agriculture economics, and biochemistry.
Maybe you don't want to go into news or broadcast? Along with the option to specialize in Agricultural Communication or Journalism, this major also offers the option to specialize Agricultural and Extension Education Services.
A major in Agricultural Public Services involves the study of Agricultural Public Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, agricultural public services is a popular field of study, with 1,001 degrees awarded annually. 38 colleges award agricultural public services degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 152.
By level, the 1,001 awards include 14 associate degrees, 636 bachelor’s degrees, 329 master’s degrees and 22 doctorates.
Women earned 79% of agricultural public services degrees and certificates in the latest year (790 of 1,001). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (792) and Hispanic or Latino (76), and international students earned 22.
College Factual ranks 20 schools in its 2027 Best Agricultural Public Services Schools ranking, including 19 for bachelor’s degrees and 7 for master’s degrees. It also ranks agricultural public services schools within 15 states. In all, 38 colleges offer agricultural public services programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Agricultural Public Services Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common agricultural public services credential is the bachelor’s degree: 636 of the 1,001 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to agricultural public services call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Communications and Media, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
People drawn to this career often have a passion for both communications and farming. Professionals who choose to go into journalism are required to communicate daily with the general public about varying agricultural topics. It is necessary to have the skills to effectively explain and report scientific information so the average person can understand it. This major also suits someone who has strong interpersonal skills. You will be communicating daily with clients, media, farmers, or the general public, so you must be comfortable speaking and working closely with others. Strong writing skills are also a must.
Depending on the type of job you go into, the average workday can vary. News can happen at any time, so depending on your role in the organization, you may not work the typical 40-hour week. Other public services jobs are closer to the typical workweek, but can frequently have long days.
Internships are the best way to prepare for a career in Agricultural Public Services. This gives students the opportunity to gain experience in reporting news or providing consulting and educational services. Journalism and communications recruiters prefer job prospects to have previous experience within the field before being hired.
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How long an agricultural public services degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 14 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 636 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 329 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to agricultural public services, at 54.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 54.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Agricultural Public Services, with an average median salary of $67,712; the strongest outlook belongs to Farm and Home Management Educators, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Home Demonstration Agent, County Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator (FACS Educator) and 4-H Youth Development Specialist.
As an Agricultural Public Services graduate, you have the ability to work for both farming media outlets and non-specialized outlets. Depending on the type of media classes you take, you may find a career in broadcast, newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. Some Agricultural Public Services majors decide to work in an advertising or public relations office or provide referral, consulting, and educational services to others within agribusiness.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to agricultural public services, at 1,304,119.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Audio and Video Technicians | 360,660 | 6.8% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
Agricultural Public Services graduates earn a median $45,101 one year after completing their program, $56,197 after four years and $55,891 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,101 |
| 4 years | $56,197 |
| 5 years | $55,891 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to agricultural public services is News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists, with a median salary of $74,101.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,086 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
Agricultural Public Services includes 3 concentrations that together award 1,001 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Agricultural Communication/Journalism (584), Agricultural and Extension Education Services (346) and Agricultural Public Services, Other (71). It has 18 similar majors in the Agriculture field, which together award 53,132 degrees a year; the largest are Agricultural Business and Management (8,920), Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians (8,916) and Animal Sciences (8,777). Browse all Agriculture majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Communication/Journalism | 584 |
| Agricultural and Extension Education Services | 346 |
| Agricultural Public Services, Other | 71 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Business and Management | 8,920 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 8,916 |
| Animal Sciences | 8,777 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | 4,242 |
| Veterinary Medicine | 3,882 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 3,822 |
| Plant Sciences | 3,510 |
| Agriculture, General | 3,002 |
| Food Science and Technology | 2,250 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 1,491 |
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