Agricultural and Food Processing: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for students seeking a career in the dynamic agricultural supply chain, this program equips learners with the technical and operational expertise needed to manage the transformation of raw agricultural commodities into safe, market-ready food and industrial products. Emphasis is placed on the science, efficiency, and regulatory standards governing modern processing systems across diverse sectors.
- Nutrient and Industrial Properties of Agricultural Products: Explores the biochemical and functional characteristics of crops, livestock, and plant-based materials, assessing their suitability for food, feed, and industrial applications.
- Logistics and Storage Procedures: Covers best practices in inventory management, temperature control, transportation coordination, and warehousing to maintain product integrity from farm to final distribution.
- Chemical and Mechanical Processing Operations: Provides hands-on knowledge of methods such as milling, pasteurization, extrusion, fermentation, and separation used to convert raw materials into stable, value-added outputs.
- Packaging and Preservation Techniques: Examines materials science, barrier technologies, labeling compliance, and shelf-life extension strategies critical to product safety and consumer appeal.
- Safety and Health Regulations: Focuses on food safety protocols, hazard analysis, sanitation standards, and compliance with federal and international guidelines like HACCP and FDA regulations.
- Technical and Business Principles: Integrates foundational knowledge in quality control, supply chain economics, cost analysis, and operational management to support informed decision-making in production environments.
Agricultural and Food Processing Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural and Food Processing Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural and Food Processing degrees, including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers and Agricultural Inspectors. 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 64,520 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Inspectors 45-2011 | $50,990 | $37,440 - $80,240 | 12,090 | $24.51 |
| Food Science Technicians 19-4013 | $49,430 | $37,760 - $75,100 | 14,200 | $23.76 |
Agricultural and Food Processing Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,683 in Arkansas to $79,800 in North Dakota—a 64% difference. The highest-paying states include North Dakota, Michigan, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 64,520 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 and Food Processing by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 16 institutions offering Agricultural and Food Processing 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 and Food Processing is found at Garden City Community College (GCCC) (40 graduates), Kansas State University (K‑State) (27 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (19 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (10 graduates), and Morningside University (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 168 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City Community College (GCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Garden City, Kansas | Public | gcccks.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
19 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
10 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Morningside University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
10 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Asheville, North Carolina | Public | abtech.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Other Award
|
8 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Other Award
|
7 | Granite Falls, Minnesota | Public | mnwest.edu |
| South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Olympia, Washington | Public | spscc.edu |
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| Kankakee Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Kankakee, Illinois | Public | kcc.edu |
| Muskegon Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Muskegon, Michigan | Public | muskegoncc.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural and Food Processing programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural and Food Processing degree?
Salaries for Agricultural and Food Processing graduates vary by role and location. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $86,350 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers earn around $59,330. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in North Dakota average $79,800 compared to $48,683 in Arkansas. Approximately 64,520 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 and Food Processing programs?
Currently 16 accredited institutions offer Agricultural and Food Processing degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Garden City Community College (GCCC) (40 graduates), Kansas State University (K‑State) (27 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (19 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 and Food Processing growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 120 in 2010 to a peak of 251 in 2020, before declining slightly to 168 in 2023-24. This represents a 40% 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 and Food Processing degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers, and Agricultural Inspectors. Related occupations employ approximately 64,520 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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