Agribusiness Operations: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Agribusiness Operations equips students with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead complex agricultural enterprises in a globalized, corporate environment. This interdisciplinary program integrates core agricultural science with advanced business principles to prepare professionals for leadership roles across the food and fiber supply chain.
- Agricultural Systems Management: Explores the integration of crop and livestock production with modern technological solutions to optimize efficiency and sustainability.
- Business and Financial Strategy: Focuses on budgeting, cost analysis, investment planning, and financial decision-making tailored to agricultural enterprises.
- Marketing and Supply Chain Dynamics: Examines market trends, consumer behavior, distribution networks, and branding strategies for agricultural products and services.
- Human Resource Leadership: Develops skills in workforce planning, employee development, labor relations, and organizational culture within agribusiness settings.
- Operational Planning and Risk Management: Teaches methods for long-term strategic planning, resource allocation, and identifying and mitigating operational and environmental risks.
- Agricultural Specialization: Provides in-depth knowledge in specific sectors such as horticulture, animal science, agroecology, or precision farming, enabling focused expertise within broader operations.
Agribusiness Operations Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agribusiness Operations Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agribusiness Operations degrees, including Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers and Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 14,610 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers 11-9013 | $87,980 | $51,700 - $156,530 | 5,910 | $42.30 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
Agribusiness Operations Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $58,110 in Vermont to $107,310 in Michigan—a 85% difference. The highest-paying states include Michigan, Maryland, and Georgia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 14,610 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Agribusiness Operations by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Agribusiness Operations programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Agribusiness Operations is found at Texas A & M University, College Station (317 graduates), California State University, Fresno (150 graduates), Bakersfield College (BC) (142 graduates), California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (118 graduates), and North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (111 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,346 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
317 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
150 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Associate's
|
142 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
118 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
111 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
109 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
105 | Martin, Tennessee | Public | utm.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
84 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
80 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Reedley College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
75 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Merced College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
74 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Bachelor's
|
68 | Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
| Beaufort County Community College (BCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
64 | Washington, North Carolina | Public | beaufortccc.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
49 | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
49 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Shasta College |
Associate's
|
45 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| West Texas A & M University (WTAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Canyon, Texas | Public | wtamu.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Coalinga College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | Coalinga, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| Hartnell College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
37 | Salinas, California | Public | hartnell.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
37 | Platteville, Wisconsin | Public | uwplatt.edu |
| Iowa Central Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Fort Dodge, Iowa | Public | iowacentral.edu |
| Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Calmar, Iowa | Public | nicc.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Council Bluffs, Iowa | Public | iwcc.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
35 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | River Falls, Wisconsin | Public | uwrf.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAM) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
29 | Monticello, Arkansas | Public | uamont.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
|
28 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Commerce, Texas | Public | tamuc.edu |
| Isothermal Community College (ICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Spindale, North Carolina | Public | isothermal.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Arkansas State University (ASU-Beebe) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Beebe, Arkansas | Public | asub.edu |
| Butte College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| Wilkes Community College (WCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Wilkesboro, North Carolina | Public | wilkescc.edu |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Goodwell, Oklahoma | Public | opsu.edu |
| Mitchell Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Statesville, North Carolina | Public | mitchellcc.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| Woodland Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Woodland, California | Public | wcc.yccd.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Feather River Community College District |
Associate's
|
20 | Quincy, California | Public | frc.edu |
| State Fair Community College (SFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
20 | Sedalia, Missouri | Public | sfccmo.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University (SAU) |
Associate's
|
19 | Magnolia, Arkansas | Public | saumag.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Alva, Oklahoma | Public | nwosu.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Associate's
|
18 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Associate's
|
16 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Hinds Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Raymond, Mississippi | Public | hindscc.edu |
| Randolph Community College (RCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Asheboro, North Carolina | Public | randolph.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Sierra College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Wayne Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Goldsboro, North Carolina | Public | waynecc.edu |
| Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | ogeecheetech.edu |
| California State University (CSUB) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Bakersfield, California | Public | csub.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Butler Community College |
Associate's
|
13 | El Dorado, Kansas | Public | butlercc.edu |
| Southeastern Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Whiteville, North Carolina | Public | sccnc.edu |
| Edison State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Piqua, Ohio | Public | edisonohio.edu |
| Snow College |
Associate's
|
13 | Ephraim, Utah | Public | snow.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Associate's
|
12 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
12 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology (SUNY Cobleskill) |
Associate's
|
12 | Cobleskill, New York | Public | cobleskill.edu |
| Sampson Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Clinton, North Carolina | Public | sampsoncc.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Delaware Valley University (DelVal) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Private | delval.edu |
| Northwest College (NWC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Powell, Wyoming | Public | nwc.edu |
| South Central College (SCC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | North Mankato, Minnesota | Public | southcentral.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
11 | Crookston, Minnesota | Public | crk.umn.edu |
| Farmingdale State College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Senatobia, Mississippi | Public | northwestms.edu |
| Bladen Community College (BCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Dublin, North Carolina | Public | bladencc.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Associate's
|
10 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Associate's
|
10 | San German, Puerto Rico | Private | sg.inter.edu |
| Porterville College |
Associate's
|
9 | Porterville, California | Public | portervillecollege.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Associate's
|
9 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Edgecombe Community College (ECC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Tarboro, North Carolina | Public | edgecombe.edu |
| Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Cleveland, Wisconsin | Public | gotoltc.edu |
| Ana G. Mendez University (AGMU) |
Master's
|
9 | Orlando, Florida | Private | agmu.edu |
| Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Oglesby, Illinois | Public | ivcc.edu |
| Dordt University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Sioux Center, Iowa | Private | dordt.edu |
| Stanly Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Albemarle, North Carolina | Public | stanly.edu |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | famu.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Associate's
|
7 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| James Sprunt Community College (JSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Kenansville, North Carolina | Public | jamessprunt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agribusiness Operations programs
How much can I earn with a Agribusiness Operations degree?
Salaries for Agribusiness Operations graduates vary by role and location. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn a median of $87,980 annually, while Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $86,350. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Michigan average $107,310 compared to $58,110 in Vermont. Approximately 14,610 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Agribusiness Operations programs?
Currently 174 accredited institutions offer Agribusiness Operations degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas A & M University, College Station (317 graduates), California State University, Fresno (150 graduates), and Bakersfield College (BC) (142 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Agribusiness Operations growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,809 in 2010 to 3,573 in 2023-24. This represents a 98% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Agribusiness Operations degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 14,610 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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