Agricultural Journalism: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program develop advanced skills in conveying complex agricultural information through dynamic media channels. The curriculum integrates core communication strategies with in-depth knowledge of agricultural systems, equipping graduates to produce accurate, engaging, and impactful content for diverse farming, policy, and industry audiences.
- Journalistic Principles: Core techniques in news gathering, ethical reporting, and storytelling tailored to agricultural contexts, ensuring factual accuracy and public relevance.
- Broadcasting and Multimedia Production: Hands-on training in audio and video production, digital editing, and live or recorded broadcasting for radio, television, and online platforms.
- Technical Communication for Agriculture: Development of specialized content such as extension materials, field reports, and data-driven narratives for farmers, agribusinesses, and policymakers.
- Agricultural Sciences Fundamentals: Foundational understanding of crop science, livestock management, sustainable practices, and emerging technologies shaping modern agriculture.
- Agribusiness and Industry Operations: Insight into supply chains, market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and economic drivers that influence agricultural communication and decision-making.
Agricultural Journalism Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural Journalism Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural Journalism degrees, including News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists and Audio and Video Technicians. 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 111,630 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 27-3023 | $60,280 | $34,590 - $162,430 | 41,550 | $28.98 |
| Audio and Video Technicians 27-4011 | $54,830 | $35,290 - $98,190 | 70,080 | $26.36 |
Agricultural Journalism Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $36,425 in Arkansas to $87,690 in District of Columbia—a 141% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 111,630 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 Journalism by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 25 institutions offering Agricultural Journalism 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 Journalism is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (108 graduates), Texas Tech University (TTU) (70 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (66 graduates), Oklahoma State University (OSU), Main Campus (58 graduates), and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (35 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 537 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 Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
108 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
70 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
66 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
58 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| West Texas A & M University (WTAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Canyon, Texas | Public | wtamu.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Tifton, Georgia | Public | abac.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| Casper College |
Associate's
|
4 | Casper, Wyoming | Public | caspercollege.edu |
| University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| South Plains College |
Associate's
|
2 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Crookston, Minnesota | Public | crk.umn.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Other Award
|
1 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural Journalism programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural Journalism degree?
Salaries for Agricultural Journalism graduates vary by role and location. News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists earn a median of $60,280 annually, while Audio and Video Technicians earn around $54,830. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $87,690 compared to $36,425 in Arkansas. Approximately 111,630 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 Journalism programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Agricultural Journalism degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (108 graduates), Texas Tech University (TTU) (70 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (66 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 Journalism growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 261 in 2010 to 537 in 2023-24. This represents a 106% 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 Journalism degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists, Audio and Video Technicians, . Related occupations employ approximately 111,630 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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