Agricultural Business and Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Agricultural Business and Management is a multidisciplinary field focused on the strategic operation, financial oversight, and sustainable development of agricultural enterprises. This program prepares students to navigate the complex intersection of farming, supply chains, market dynamics, and policy, equipping them with the analytical and managerial tools needed to lead in modern agribusiness environments.
- Agribusiness Strategy: Explores long-term planning, competitive positioning, and growth models tailored to food production, distribution, and retail sectors.
- Supply Chain Management: Examines the logistics of moving agricultural goods from farm to consumer, emphasizing efficiency, traceability, and risk mitigation.
- Financial Management in Agriculture: Covers budgeting, investment analysis, credit evaluation, and fiscal planning specific to farming operations and agri-enterprises.
- Marketing and Consumer Behavior: Investigates demand forecasting, branding, pricing strategies, and digital outreach in agricultural product markets.
- Sustainable Resource Management: Focuses on optimizing land, water, and energy use to balance profitability with environmental stewardship.
- Farm and Ranch Operations: Provides hands-on understanding of day-to-day management, labor coordination, equipment utilization, and production planning.
- Agricultural Policy and Regulation: Analyzes national and international laws, subsidies, trade agreements, and compliance requirements affecting food systems.
Agricultural Business and Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural Business and Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural Business and Management degrees, including Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers. 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 44,140 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 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers 45-1011 | $59,330 | $39,610 - $90,840 | 29,530 | $28.53 |
Agricultural Business and Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,140 in Arkansas to $103,760 in North Dakota—a 95% difference. The highest-paying states include North Dakota, Maryland, and Michigan. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 44,140 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 Agricultural Business and Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Agricultural Business and Management 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 Agricultural Business and Management is found at University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (40 graduates), University of Central Missouri (UCM) (25 graduates), Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (23 graduates), University of Arizona (11 graduates), and University of California (UCD), Davis (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 137 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
23 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
11 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Sonoma State University (SSU) |
Master's
|
9 | Rohnert Park, California | Public | sonoma.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| College of Western Idaho (CWI) |
Associate's
|
4 | Nampa, Idaho | Public | cwi.edu |
| Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | ogeecheetech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural Business and Management programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural Business and Management degree?
Salaries for Agricultural Business and Management 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 North Dakota average $103,760 compared to $53,140 in Arkansas. Approximately 44,140 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 Agricultural Business and Management programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Agricultural Business and Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (40 graduates), University of Central Missouri (UCM) (25 graduates), and Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (23 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 Agricultural Business and Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 413 in 2010 to a peak of 149 in 2020, before declining slightly to 137 in 2023-24. This represents a 67% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Agricultural Business and Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 44,140 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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