Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture is a forward-thinking academic field dedicated to reimagining farming systems through ecological principles, long-term environmental stewardship, and economic resilience. This program equips students with the interdisciplinary knowledge needed to design and implement agricultural practices that protect natural resources, support biodiversity, and meet the needs of communities in a changing world.
- Agroecology: The science of applying ecological concepts to agricultural systems, emphasizing sustainable interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment.
- Crop and Soil Sciences: Study of plant growth, soil composition, and management techniques to optimize productivity while preserving soil health and structure.
- Entomology: The study of insects, with a focus on beneficial species and integrated pest management to reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
- Horticulture: Cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants using sustainable methods that enhance yield and ecosystem function.
- Animal Science: Examination of livestock production systems with emphasis on animal welfare, feed efficiency, and integration into ecological farming models.
- Weed Science and Management: Strategies for identifying, controlling, and preventing invasive plant species using environmentally sound and adaptive techniques.
- Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling: Understanding how nutrients move through ecosystems and how to maintain or improve soil productivity through natural processes.
- Applied Ecology: Practical application of ecological theory to real-world agricultural challenges, including habitat restoration and biodiversity enhancement.
- Agricultural Economics: Analysis of economic forces shaping farming decisions, market dynamics, and policy impacts on sustainable production systems.
- Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management: Study of grassland ecosystems and water resources to promote sustainable land use and protect hydrological integrity.
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture degrees, including Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, 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 87,640 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1043 | $100,830 | $58,670 - $154,630 | 1,310 | N/A |
| 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 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists 19-1013 | $71,410 | $45,320 - $131,440 | 16,600 | $34.33 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers 45-1011 | $59,330 | $39,610 - $90,840 | 29,530 | $28.53 |
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $54,080 in Rhode Island to $100,820 in District of Columbia—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Michigan, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 87,640 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 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 75 institutions offering Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture 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 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture is found at University of Massachusetts, Amherst (60 graduates), Mississippi State University (MSU) (50 graduates), University of California (UCD), Davis (37 graduates), Northwest Kansas Technical College (NWKTC) (29 graduates), and University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (26 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 769 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 Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
60 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Northwest Kansas Technical College (NWKTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Goodland, Kansas | Public | nwktc.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Prescott College (PC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Prescott, Arizona | Private | prescott.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Leeward Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Pearl City, Hawaii | Public | leeward.hawaii.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Other Award
|
18 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Utuado, Puerto Rico | Public | uprutuado.edu |
| Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | South Portland, Maine | Public | smccme.edu |
| Lenoir Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Kinston, North Carolina | Public | lenoircc.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Associate's
|
15 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Master's
|
13 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Fort Lewis College (FLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Durango, Colorado | Public | fortlewis.edu |
| Spartanburg Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | sccsc.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Davidson-Davie Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Thomasville, North Carolina | Public | davidsondavie.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Sterling College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Craftsbury Common, Vermont | Private | sterlingcollege.edu |
| Highland Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Highland, Kansas | Public | highlandcc.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Sanford, North Carolina | Public | cccc.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Walla Walla, Washington | Public | wwcc.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Maharishi International University (MIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Fairfield, Iowa | Private | miu.edu |
| Montgomery Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Troy, North Carolina | Public | montgomery.edu |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
8 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
7 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | uttc.edu |
| Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Other Award
|
5 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
5 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Master's
|
5 | Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
5 | Guayama, Puerto Rico | Private | guayama.inter.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) |
Associate's
|
4 | Dryden, New York | Public | tompkinscortland.edu |
| Surry Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Dobson, North Carolina | Public | surry.edu |
| Central State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Wilberforce, Ohio | Public | centralstate.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Mount Pleasant, Texas | Public | ntcc.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Heartland Community College (HCC ) |
Other Award
|
3 | Normal, Illinois | Public | heartland.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Other Award
|
2 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Warren Wilson College (WWC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Swannanoa, North Carolina | Private | warren-wilson.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Delaware Valley University (DelVal) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
2 | Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Private | delval.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Associate's
|
2 | Barranquitas, Puerto Rico | Private | br.inter.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Kentucky State University (KSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Frankfort, Kentucky | Public | kysu.edu |
| Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marshall, Minnesota | Public | smsu.edu |
| Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Kalispell, Montana | Public | fvcc.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Commerce, Texas | Public | tamuc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture programs
How much can I earn with a Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture degree?
Salaries for Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture graduates vary by role and location. Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $100,830 annually, while Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers earn around $87,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $100,820 compared to $54,080 in Rhode Island. Approximately 87,640 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 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture programs?
Currently 75 accredited institutions offer Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Massachusetts, Amherst (60 graduates), Mississippi State University (MSU) (50 graduates), and University of California (UCD), Davis (37 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 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 44 in 2010 to 769 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,648% 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 Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, and Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 87,640 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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