Agricultural Education and Extension Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for those committed to advancing agricultural communities, this program equips professionals to deliver expert guidance, technical support, and educational outreach to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and gardening enthusiasts. It emphasizes the integration of scientific knowledge with practical communication and outreach strategies to promote sustainable practices and informed decision-making across diverse agricultural sectors.
- Basic Agricultural Sciences: Foundational study of plant and animal biology, soil health, and ecosystem dynamics essential for informed agricultural decision-making.
- Agricultural Business Operations: Exploration of farm management, supply chain logistics, financial planning, and market analysis to support economic sustainability in agricultural enterprises.
- Pest Control and Integrated Management: Instruction in identifying, monitoring, and mitigating pest infestations using environmentally responsible and science-based strategies.
- Adult Education Methods: Development of pedagogical techniques tailored to adult learners, focusing on engagement, curriculum design, and effective knowledge transfer in field settings.
- Public Relations and Community Engagement: Training in building trust, communicating complex information clearly, and fostering collaboration with stakeholders across rural and urban communities.
- State Laws and Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive understanding of agricultural regulations, environmental policies, labor standards, and licensing requirements specific to local jurisdictions.
- Technical Communication Skills: Mastery of written, verbal, and digital communication tools to deliver accurate, accessible, and actionable information to diverse audiences.
Agricultural Education and Extension Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural Education and Extension Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural Education and Extension Services degrees, including Farm and Home Management Educators. 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 10,260 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Agricultural Education and Extension Services Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $31,760 in Georgia to $103,430 in Idaho—a 226% difference. The highest-paying states include Idaho, California, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 10,260 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 Education and Extension Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 21 institutions offering Agricultural Education and Extension Services 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 Education and Extension Services is found at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (69 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (56 graduates), Tarleton State University (TSU) (37 graduates), Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) (32 graduates), and University of Georgia (UGA) (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 365 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
69 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
56 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Master's
|
37 | Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
28 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Master's
|
7 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
4 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Master's
|
3 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Palau Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Koror, Palau | Public | palau.edu |
| Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marshall, Minnesota | Public | smsu.edu |
| Clemson University |
Other Award
|
1 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural Education and Extension Services programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural Education and Extension Services degree?
Salaries for Agricultural Education and Extension Services graduates vary by role and location. Farm and Home Management Educators earn a median of $58,120 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Idaho average $103,430 compared to $31,760 in Georgia. Approximately 10,260 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 Education and Extension Services programs?
Currently 21 accredited institutions offer Agricultural Education and Extension Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (69 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (56 graduates), and Tarleton State University (TSU) (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 Agricultural Education and Extension Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 72 in 2010 to 365 in 2023-24. This represents a 407% 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 Education and Extension Services degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Farm and Home Management Educators. Related occupations employ approximately 10,260 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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