Soil Science and Agronomy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Soil Science and Agronomy is a rigorous academic discipline dedicated to understanding the complex interactions between soil systems and agricultural productivity. This program equips students with advanced knowledge of soil formation, behavior, and sustainable management to support food security and environmental stewardship.
- Soil Chemistry: Explores the elemental and molecular composition of soils, focusing on nutrient availability, pH balance, and chemical reactions that influence plant growth and environmental quality.
- Soil Physics: Investigates the physical properties of soil, including structure, porosity, water retention, and movement, to optimize irrigation and root zone conditions.
- Soil Biology: Studies the diverse microbial and macrofaunal communities within soil ecosystems and their critical roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil health.
- Soil Fertility: Focuses on the assessment and enhancement of soil nutrients essential for crop development, emphasizing balanced fertilization and long-term productivity.
- Morphogenesis: Examines the processes and patterns of soil formation over time, including the influence of climate, topography, and parent material on soil profile development.
- Mineralogy: Analyzes the mineral composition of soils, identifying key components that affect texture, cation exchange capacity, and overall soil function.
- Hydrology: Addresses the movement, distribution, and quality of water within soil systems, with applications in drainage, erosion control, and water resource management.
- Agronomy: Integrates crop science with soil management to improve planting techniques, yield optimization, and crop adaptation to specific soil conditions.
- Soil Conservation and Management: Emphasizes sustainable land use practices, erosion prevention, and restoration strategies to maintain soil integrity and ecological balance across agricultural landscapes.
Soil Science and Agronomy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Soil Science and Agronomy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Soil Science and Agronomy degrees, including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Soil and Plant Scientists and Agricultural 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 39,640 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 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists 19-1013 | $71,410 | $45,320 - $131,440 | 16,600 | $34.33 |
| Agricultural Technicians 19-4012 | $46,790 | $32,860 - $69,010 | 14,340 | $22.49 |
Soil Science and Agronomy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $40,730 in New Hampshire to $100,820 in District of Columbia—a 148% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Connecticut, and New Mexico. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 39,640 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 Soil Science and Agronomy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 28 institutions offering Soil Science and Agronomy 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 Soil Science and Agronomy is found at University of Florida (UF) (56 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (35 graduates), Oklahoma State University (OSU), Main Campus (35 graduates), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (29 graduates), and North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (22 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 358 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 Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Residency
|
56 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
35 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
35 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
22 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
8 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
6 | Newbern, Tennessee | Public | tcatnorthwest.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| University of Arkansas Community College (UACCB) |
Other Award
|
4 | Batesville, Arkansas | Public | uaccb.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
4 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Master's
|
3 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Northwest State Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Archbold, Ohio | Public | northweststate.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Soil Science and Agronomy programs
How much can I earn with a Soil Science and Agronomy degree?
Salaries for Soil Science and Agronomy graduates vary by role and location. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $86,350 annually, while Soil and Plant Scientists earn around $71,410. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $100,820 compared to $40,730 in New Hampshire. Approximately 39,640 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 Soil Science and Agronomy programs?
Currently 28 accredited institutions offer Soil Science and Agronomy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (56 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (35 graduates), and Oklahoma State University (OSU), Main Campus (35 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 Soil Science and Agronomy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 246 in 2010 to 358 in 2023-24. This represents a 46% 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 Soil Science and Agronomy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Soil and Plant Scientists, and Agricultural Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 39,640 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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