43 Excellent Schools for Agriculture Majors
Agriculture today spans far more than farming, including food science, plant and animal science, agribusiness, sustainability, and agricultural technology. The strongest programs offer hands-on learning through working farms, research stations, and industry partnerships. This list highlights colleges with excellent agriculture programs and what makes each one stand out. As you read, look for details you can use in your supplemental essays, such as specific farms, research centers, student organizations like FFA collegiate chapters, and faculty whose work connects to your goals.
Angelo State University: A public university in San Angelo, TX, with an agriculture program built around hands-on work at its university-run farm and ranch. A good fit for students interested in animal science, range management, or Texas ranching and livestock.
Auburn University: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture, with strengths in animal sciences, poultry science, and horticulture. Students benefit from a large public university and an active research and extension network across Alabama.
Clemson University: Agricultural programs sit within the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. A good option for students who want to combine agriculture with forestry, food science, or environmental work.
College of the Ozarks: A small Christian work college in Missouri where every student works on campus, and agriculture students gain practical experience on the college's farm. A strong match for students who want hands-on learning and low debt.
Colorado State University: Offers agriculture through its College of Agricultural Sciences, with strengths in animal science, soil and crop sciences, and equine programs. Its location near the Rockies supports research in water, range, and sustainable agriculture.
Cornell University: Agriculture is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, one of the most research-intensive ag colleges in the country. A strong fit for students interested in plant science, food science, dairy, or agricultural economics within an Ivy League setting.
Illinois Institute of Technology: Better known for engineering and technology than traditional agriculture, so this is best for students interested in food systems, sustainability, or the engineering and technology side of agriculture. Worth confirming exactly what's offered before featuring it.
Iowa State University: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with strong programs in agronomy, animal science, and agricultural engineering. Students benefit from a long tradition in agriculture and a major presence in the Midwest farm economy.
Kansas State University: A land-grant university with well-regarded programs in agronomy, animal sciences, grain science, and agricultural economics. A good choice for students interested in wheat, livestock, or food and grain processing.
Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture, with strengths in agricultural economics, plant sciences, and animal sciences. Students benefit from LSU's AgCenter and the importance of agriculture to Louisiana's economy.
Michigan State University: A land-grant university with a long-established College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Known for strengths in crop and soil sciences, food science, and agricultural economics.
Middle Tennessee State University: A public university in Murfreesboro, TN, with an agriculture program that includes working farm and lab facilities. A good option for students interested in agribusiness, animal science, plant and soil science, or horse-related fields.
North Carolina State University: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with strengths in crop science, animal science, and food science. The nearby Research Triangle supports research and industry connections.
The Ohio State University—Columbus: Agriculture is housed in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, with strengths in animal sciences, agribusiness, and food science. Students have access to a large research university and extension network.
Oregon State University: Offers agriculture through the College of Agricultural Sciences, with strengths in horticulture, crop science, and food science. Students benefit from Oregon's varied agricultural landscape, from wine grapes to specialty crops.
Penn State University Park: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agricultural Sciences, with strengths in animal science, plant science, and food science. Students can access working farms, research centers, and a large alumni network.
Purdue University—West Lafayette: A leader in agricultural sciences and agricultural engineering. Students interested in precision agriculture, agronomy, and agricultural technology will find strong research and industry connections.
Texas A&M University—College Station: Offered through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with deep programs in animal science, agricultural economics, and agricultural leadership and development. A strong choice for students who want a large program with a prominent Texas network.
Tuskegee University: A historically Black university with a land-grant mission and a distinguished agricultural legacy, including the work of George Washington Carver. A good fit for students interested in agriculture, food science, or veterinary-related fields in a supportive community.
University of Arizona: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. A good option for students interested in arid-land agriculture, water use, and sustainable food production.
University of Arkansas—Fayetteville: Offers agriculture through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, with strengths in poultry science, food science, and agribusiness. Students benefit from ties to the state's major agricultural industries.
University of California—Davis: One of the best-known agricultural universities in the country, with strengths in plant sciences, viticulture and enology, food science, and animal science. A strong fit for students who want research opportunities and a distinctive Central Valley setting.
University of Connecticut: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. A good option for students interested in sustainable agriculture, plant science, animal science, or related fields in the Northeast.
University of Florida: Offered through the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, known as UF/IFAS, with a strong research and extension network. A good choice for students interested in tropical and subtropical agriculture, citrus, or food and resource economics.
University of Georgia: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, with strengths in poultry science, animal science, and horticulture. Students benefit from the state's important agricultural economy and campus research farms.
University of Hawaii—Manoa: Offers agriculture through the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. A distinctive option for students interested in tropical agriculture, sustainable food systems, and island ecosystems.
University of Idaho: A land-grant university with a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. A good fit for students interested in crop science, animal science, or food and natural resource systems in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West.
University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, known as ACES. A strong option for students interested in agricultural and consumer economics, crop sciences, or animal sciences.
University of Kentucky: A land-grant university with a College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. A good option for students interested in equine science, animal science, or agricultural economics.
University of Maine: Agriculture is offered through the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture. A good choice for students interested in sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, or forestry in a coastal New England setting.
University of Maryland, College Park: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A good option for students who want agricultural study close to Washington, DC, with access to federal agencies and policy opportunities.
University of Massachusetts—Amherst: Offers agriculture-related programs through the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, one of the oldest agricultural schools in the country. A good fit for students interested in sustainable agriculture, plant science, or turf and landscape management.
University of Minnesota—Twin Cities: Agriculture is offered through the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. A strong option for students interested in agricultural economics, food science, or plant and animal sciences.
University of Missouri—Columbia: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Students can access strengths in animal science, plant sciences, and agricultural economics, plus the university's research farms.
University of Nebraska—Lincoln: A land-grant university with a strong agricultural identity, offering programs through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. A good choice for students interested in agribusiness, animal science, or agronomy in the heart of the Midwest.
University of Rhode Island: Offers agriculture-related programs through the College of the Environment and Life Sciences. A good option for students interested in sustainable agriculture, plant science, or aquaculture and marine-related fields.
University of Tennessee—Knoxville: Agriculture is offered through the Herbert College of Agriculture. A good fit for students interested in animal science, plant sciences, or agricultural economics in the Southeast.
University of Vermont: Offers agriculture through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A good option for students interested in sustainable agriculture, food systems, or environmental stewardship in a small-state setting.
University of Wisconsin—Madison: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, with strengths in dairy science, genetics, and food science. A strong choice for students interested in research-intensive agricultural study.
University of Wyoming: A land-grant university with a College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. A good fit for students interested in range management, animal science, or agriculture in a Mountain West setting.
Virginia Tech: Agriculture is offered through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with strengths in animal and poultry sciences, crop and soil environmental sciences, and agricultural economics. Students benefit from a large research university and a strong extension network.
Washington State University: A land-grant university with a College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. A good fit for students interested in wheat and crop science, animal sciences, or wine and food-related fields.
West Virginia University: Offers agriculture through the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. A good option for students interested in animal science, agribusiness, or natural resources in Appalachia.
