Agricultural Production Operations: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for students seeking a comprehensive foundation in modern agricultural systems, this program integrates strategic planning, resource management, and economic principles to support sustainable production of both plant and animal commodities. It prepares learners for dynamic careers in farming, ranching, and agribusiness by combining hands-on knowledge with analytical decision-making skills.
- Enterprise Planning: Developing strategic frameworks for selecting, managing, and optimizing crop and livestock operations based on market demand, environmental conditions, and long-term sustainability.
- Resource Economics: Applying economic models to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and financial viability of land, water, energy, and other natural inputs across production cycles.
- Farm and Facility Management: Overseeing the design, maintenance, and operational efficiency of agricultural infrastructure, including storage, processing, and livestock housing systems.
- Equipment and Technology Integration: Selecting, operating, and maintaining modern machinery and digital tools—such as GPS-guided systems and precision agriculture platforms—to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
- Labor and Workforce Coordination: Managing human capital in agricultural settings, including recruitment, training, safety compliance, and regulatory adherence in diverse operational environments.
- Capital and Financial Strategy: Utilizing financial planning tools to secure funding, manage debt, assess risk, and ensure fiscal resilience across seasonal and market-driven fluctuations.
Agricultural Production Operations Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural Production Operations Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural Production Operations 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 Production Operations 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 Production Operations by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 70 institutions offering Agricultural Production 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 Agricultural Production Operations is found at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) (72 graduates), Kirkwood Community College (63 graduates), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (54 graduates), George C Wallace State Community College, Hanceville (41 graduates), and Garden City Community College (GCCC) (35 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 820 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
72 | Curtis, Nebraska | Public | ncta.unl.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
63 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Associate's
|
54 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| George C Wallace State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
41 | Hanceville, Alabama | Public | wallacestate.edu |
| Garden City Community College (GCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
35 | Garden City, Kansas | Public | gcccks.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Cloud County Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Concordia, Kansas | Public | cloud.edu |
| Southeastern Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | West Burlington, Iowa | Public | scciowa.edu |
| Olney Central College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
22 | Olney, Illinois | Public | iecc.edu |
| Henderson Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Henderson, Kentucky | Public | henderson.kctcs.edu |
| Black Hawk College (BHC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Moline, Illinois | Public | bhc.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Lake Land College |
Associate's
|
18 | Mattoon, Illinois | Public | lakelandcollege.edu |
| Black River Technical College (BRTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
17 | Pocahontas, Arkansas | Public | blackrivertech.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Hopkinsville Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Hopkinsville, Kentucky | Public | hopkinsville.kctcs.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAPB) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Public | uapb.edu |
| Iowa Lakes Community College |
Associate's
|
12 | Estherville, Iowa | Public | iowalakes.edu |
| South Central College (SCC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | North Mankato, Minnesota | Public | southcentral.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
11 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Northeastern Junior College (NJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Sterling, Colorado | Public | njc.edu |
| Highland Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Freeport, Illinois | Public | highland.edu |
| North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Mason City, Iowa | Public | niacc.edu |
| University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Big Bend Community College (BBCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Moses Lake, Washington | Public | bigbend.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
8 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Springfield, Illinois | Public | llcc.edu |
| Rend Lake College (RLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Ina, Illinois | Public | rlc.edu |
| Dordt University |
Associate's
|
8 | Sioux Center, Iowa | Private | dordt.edu |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Elizabethtown, Kentucky | Public | elizabethtown.kctcs.edu |
| Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Public | sfcc.edu |
| Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Wenatchee, Washington | Public | wvc.edu |
| Yakima Valley College (YVC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
8 | Yakima, Washington | Public | yvcc.edu |
| Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Rangely, Colorado | Public | cncc.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Aims Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | aims.edu |
| Spoon River College (SRC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Canton, Illinois | Public | src.edu |
| Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Owensboro, Kentucky | Public | owensboro.kctcs.edu |
| Kankakee Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Kankakee, Illinois | Public | kcc.edu |
| Madisonville Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Madisonville, Kentucky | Public | madisonville.kctcs.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Public | mstc.edu |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Davenport, Iowa | Public | eicc.edu |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Granite Falls, Minnesota | Public | mnwest.edu |
| Piedmont Technical College (PTC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | ptc.edu |
| Columbia Basin College (CBC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Pasco, Washington | Public | columbiabasin.edu |
| Northwest College (NWC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Powell, Wyoming | Public | nwc.edu |
| Yavapai College |
Associate's
|
3 | Prescott, Arizona | Public | yc.edu |
| Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Calmar, Iowa | Public | nicc.edu |
| Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Dowagiac, Michigan | Public | swmich.edu |
| Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) |
Associate's
|
3 | Portales, New Mexico | Public | enmu.edu |
| Connors State College (CSC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Warner, Oklahoma | Public | connorsstate.edu |
| Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pendleton, Oregon | Public | bluecc.edu |
| Sul Ross State University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Alpine, Texas | Public | sulross.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRU) |
Associate's
|
3 | Utuado, Puerto Rico | Public | uprutuado.edu |
| Lamar Community College (LCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Lamar, Colorado | Public | lamarcc.edu |
| Cowley County Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
2 | Arkansas City, Kansas | Public | cowley.edu |
| Laramie County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Cheyenne, Wyoming | Public | lccc.wy.edu |
| Morgan Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Fort Morgan, Colorado | Public | morgancc.edu |
| Otero College |
Other Award
|
1 | La Junta, Colorado | Public | otero.edu |
| Richland Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Decatur, Illinois | Public | richland.edu |
| Chesapeake College |
Associate's
|
1 | Wye Mills, Maryland | Public | chesapeake.edu |
| Miles Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Miles City, Montana | Public | milescc.edu |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College (NHTI) |
Associate's
|
1 | Concord, New Hampshire | Public | nhti.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural Production Operations programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural Production Operations degree?
Salaries for Agricultural Production 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 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 Production Operations programs?
Currently 70 accredited institutions offer Agricultural Production Operations degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) (72 graduates), Kirkwood Community College (63 graduates), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (54 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 Production Operations growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 520 in 2010 to a peak of 900 in 2020, before declining slightly to 820 in 2023-24. This represents a 58% 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 Agricultural Production Operations 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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