by our College Data Analytics TeamAgronomy & Crop Science was the 405th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,153 degrees in this year alone. This 39 less than the prior year, a decrease of 3.4%.
Our 2023 Best Agronomy & Crop Science Schools ranking analyzes 42 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for agronomy and crop science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of agronomy and crop science programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in agronomy and crop science is using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
agronomy and crop science 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. Specific agronomy and crop science careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of agronomy and crop science degrees. You can get anything from a in agronomy and crop science to the highest agronomy and crop science degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common agronomy and crop science degree levels is shown below.
| 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 agronomy and crop science, with approximately 22.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for agronomy and crop science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 21.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.2% |
| High School Diploma | 15.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.0% |
| Some College Courses | 8.5% |
58.8% of agronomy and crop science workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in agronomy and crop science have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which agronomy and crop science career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your agronomy and crop science degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to agronomy and crop science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | 1,020,700 | -0.8% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | 49,700 | 2.1% |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | 21,700 | 9.0% |
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | 13,600 | 7.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for agronomy and crop science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for agronomy and crop science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers agronomy and crop science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Professors | $90,890 |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers | $79,940 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $70,630 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Worker Supervisors | $50,790 |
With over 137 different agronomy and crop science 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 agronomy and crop science school rankings to help you with this.
Agronomy & Crop Science is one of 6 different types of Plant Sciences programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Horticultural Science | 823 |
| Plant Science, General | 668 |
| Range Science & Management | 190 |
| Plant Protection & Integrated Pest Management | 179 |
| Plant Sciences, Other | 108 |
