Crop Production: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Crop production is a dynamic field focused on the science and practice of growing high-value agricultural crops for food, fiber, fuel, and feed. This program equips learners with the technical expertise and strategic insight needed to manage sustainable, efficient, and resilient crop systems in diverse environmental and market conditions.
- Plant Science and Physiology: Explores the biological mechanisms underlying plant growth, development, and reproduction, with an emphasis on optimizing yield and quality across various crop species.
- Soil Health and Management: Covers the principles of soil composition, fertility, structure, and conservation practices essential for supporting productive and sustainable crop systems.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Teaches strategies for identifying, monitoring, and controlling pests, diseases, and weeds using environmentally sound and economically viable methods.
- Water Resource and Irrigation Systems: Focuses on efficient water use, scheduling, and delivery technologies to maintain crop productivity while conserving natural resources.
- Crop Production Techniques: Provides hands-on training in planting, cultivating, harvesting, and post-harvest handling for a wide range of crops including grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, oilseeds, and forage plants.
- Agribusiness and Market Dynamics: Examines supply chain operations, pricing models, distribution networks, and the role of marketing in connecting producers with consumers and global markets.
- Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards: Addresses food safety protocols, environmental regulations, and workplace safety practices critical to legal and ethical crop production.
Crop Production Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Crop Production Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Crop Production 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 54,400 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 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Crop Production Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,873 in Arkansas to $91,820 in Maryland—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include Maryland, California, and Illinois. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 54,400 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 Crop Production by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 50 institutions offering Crop Production 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 Crop Production is found at Reedley College (126 graduates), Coalinga College (40 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (32 graduates), North Dakota State University (NDSU), Main Campus (25 graduates), and Hartnell College (24 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 516 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reedley College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
126 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Coalinga College |
Associate's
|
40 | Coalinga, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
32 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Hartnell College |
Associate's
|
24 | Salinas, California | Public | hartnell.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| Merced College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Lake Land College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Mattoon, Illinois | Public | lakelandcollege.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| Victor Valley College (VVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Victorville, California | Public | vvc.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
11 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Associate's
|
9 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| San Diego City College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | San Diego, California | Public | sdcity.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Associate's
|
7 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Associate's
|
6 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Moorhead, Mississippi | Public | msdelta.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Associate's
|
6 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
|
4 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Ventura College |
Associate's
|
4 | Ventura, California | Public | venturacollege.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
4 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Other Award
|
4 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Madera Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Madera, California | Public | maderacollege.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Associate's
|
3 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Associate's
|
3 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Hocking College |
Associate's
|
3 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Public | hocking.edu |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
| Arizona Western College (AWC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Yuma, Arizona | Public | azwestern.edu |
| Butte College |
Associate's
|
2 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Walla Walla, Washington | Public | wwcc.edu |
| Yakima Valley College (YVC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Yakima, Washington | Public | yvcc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Cochise County Community College District |
Associate's
|
1 | Sierra Vista, Arizona | Public | cochise.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| College of the Redwoods (CR) |
Other Award
|
1 | Eureka, California | Public | redwoods.edu |
| Northeastern Junior College (NJC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Sterling, Colorado | Public | njc.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Pendleton, Oregon | Public | bluecc.edu |
| Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) |
Residency
|
1 | Wenatchee, Washington | Public | wvc.edu |
| Northwest College (NWC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Powell, Wyoming | Public | nwc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Crop Production programs
How much can I earn with a Crop Production degree?
Salaries for Crop Production 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 Maryland average $91,820 compared to $51,873 in Arkansas. Approximately 54,400 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 Crop Production programs?
Currently 50 accredited institutions offer Crop Production degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Reedley College (126 graduates), Coalinga College (40 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (32 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 Crop Production growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 87 in 2010 to 516 in 2023-24. This represents a 493% 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 Crop Production 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 54,400 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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