by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general agriculture schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general agriculture graduates go on to earn the most.
Illinois State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general agriculture graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. After graduating, general agriculture degree recipients from Illinois State University typically earn about $64,041 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the highest-paying schools for general agriculture. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. General Agriculture graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of about $58,204 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general agriculture will find them at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students who complete the general agriculture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,031.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general agriculture schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the general agriculture program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,727.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general agriculture graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 4 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.