Do you dream of ending world hunger? Take the first steps by majoring in International Agriculture.
A degree in international agriculture will give you the opportunity to understand why food is unequally distributed throughout the world. You will learn about the political, economic, and social factors surrounding agriculture while your classes dive into agribusiness in foreign countries and global environmental issues.
While there are a few schools that offer International Agriculture as a major, you will most often find it offered as a certificate program or a minor. You will choose a certain country or area of the world to concentrate on and learn about their agribusiness.
International Agriculture was the 332nd most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 100 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best International Agriculture Schools ranking analyzes 4 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for international agriculture students. Explore this or one of our many other custom international ag rankings further below.
With a degree in International Agriculture, you can work in foreign countries to help them improve and develop their agriculture. You will analyze problems with the current agriculture business and plan new strategies to alleviate issues.
Since you will be dealing with foreign countries, part of your studies may involve travel. Many students in this major complete study abroad programs or travel upon completing their Majoring in International Agriculture may give you the opportunity to travel abroad once you finish your degree. You must be open to traveling and comfortable going to foreign countries. Creativity and innovation are important skills, as you will encounter unforeseen problems and new environments. Be prepared to face unique challenges and come up with solutions.
It would be beneficial to work a summer job, internship, or at a Co-op to gain agricultural experience. A work abroad or study abroad program would provide you with relevant and valuable experience as you pursue a career in International Agriculture.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most international ag degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional international ag certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
International Ag degree levels vary. International Agriculture programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest international ag degree you can get. The type of international ag degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
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 bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to international ag, with approximately 35.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for international ag workers below.
Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
---|---|
Bachelor’s Degree | 37.9% |
Doctoral Degree | 30.5% |
Master’s Degree | 17.0% |
Post-Doctoral Training | 12.9% |
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 2.1% |
62.1% of international ag workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in international agriculture have received.
The education level required is different depending on the international ag career you are seeking.
A career in International Agriculture will make you an attractive candidate in today's global market. Many people who major in this field work for the United Nations, the State Department, multinational agricultural corporations, or join international volunteer groups, such as the Peace Corps or the Foreign Service.
Want a job when you graduate with your international ag degree? International Agriculture careers are expected to grow 6.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international agriculture.
Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
---|---|---|
Food Scientists and Technologists | 18,000 | 5.9% |
Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
Recently graduated international agriculture students earned an average of $52,216 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $52,068 to as high as $52,415. As you might expect, salaries for international ag graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for international agriculture graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers international ag grads often go into.
Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
---|---|
Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
Food Scientists and Technologists | $72,570 |
With over 21 different international ag 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 international ag school rankings to help you with this.
International Agriculture is one of 18 different types of Agriculture & Agriculture Operations programs to choose from.
Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
International Agriculture | 100 |
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 8,951 |
Animal Science | 8,178 |
Agricultural Economics & Business | 8,140 |
Horticulture | 3,591 |
Veterinary Medicine | 3,468 |