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How Can I Get An Online Agriculture Degree ? Schools, Cost, Certifications

Careers in Agriculture make up one of the largest industries and sources of long-term employment in the world today. The agriculture sector keeps providing job seekers with wide career opportunities. 

If you want to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals, you need the right education. With an agriculture degree, you can become a leader in this growing industry.

The good thing is, you can acquire this degree at your own pace and in the classroom of your choice. There are various online schools that offer agricultural certifications. We will connect you with the top ten.

As you carefully review the school options, you will definitely find a program that best fits your demand and career aspirations.

Table of contents

What is Agriculture?

A lot of people limit Agriculture to being just farming(growing of crops). That is a small fraction of the agriculture profession.

Agriculture, by definition, is a science that deals with the production of crops and the raising of animals for the purpose of providing food.

Agriculture has so many branches which include:

  • Agronomy.
  • Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry.
  • Horticulture.
  • Plant Breeding and Genetics.
  • Plant Pathology.
  • Entomology.
  • Agricultural Economics.
  • Extension Education.

In the world today, Agriculture serves as a major source of income for individuals, governments, and organizations. People go into diverse agricultural practices such as fishing and livestock.

Nevertheless, if you want to deal with agriculture at an advanced level, you may have to consider enrolling in an agriculture school.

Where Do Agriculturist Work?

Agriculture has varieties of options including Livestock and farming. Agriculturists who focus on-farm practices can work outside on fields, pastures, and also the botanical gardens.

Those into Livestock and breeding of animals can work in the Zoo or in research labs. Others work in universities and colleges, government departments or private entities, farming and breeding associations.

 Additionally, earning an agriculture degree online can provide the credentials you need to pursue a wide range of careers, including, Agricultural business and finance, Production management, Agricultural product development, and Land and resource management.

As an agriculturist, you may also like to know about Naturopathy: The use of herbs for wellness.

Why Study Agricultural Science?

The World cannot function without people working within the Agriculture & Forestry sector. However, with today’s technology, agricultural science is a top-notch career to consider and interesting to get involved in.

Courses in Veterinary medicine, food production, plant science, property management, environmental preservation, horticulture, and zoology are all areas that you can explore within agriculture.

So, if you are considering taking a degree in agriculture, you are taking the right decision. Studying agriculture in a place like the United State means that you’ll be working in an important industry that is both considered to be fast-moving and high-tech.

As a graduate in agriculture, you could be a manager on a conventional farm. These jobs can be very lucrative and highly rewarding.

Your role usually will include overseeing food production in society and learning skills that can be applied across sectors.

Similarly, the biotechnology sector offers various career paths for agriculture graduates, Including the consultancy role at a large firms.

However, a position as an auditor or regulator in a biotechnological field ensures you as a potential candidate for another position.

Additionally, an agriculture career creates room for advancement in many routes ranging from business management, farming journalism, data analysis, public recreation, social research, and many others.

Why Online?

Distance learning is a mode of study that the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance or both. It allows students to study most or all of a course without attending a campus-based institution.

online Class in agriculture uses the Learning Management System. You communicate with your Instructor and other students via e-mail, electronic forums, videoconferencing, chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging, and other forms of computer-based interaction.

During online classes, you receive your study materials, lectures, and assignments via email or some kind of file transfer system. You submit course assignments through LMS by posting on discussion forums and submitting tasks through applicable links.

Another option for online classes involves the use of an online proctoring service.

This helps to monitor students as they work. It also permits degree candidates to take assessments away from campus and also provides schools with confidence that students honestly earned their grades.

If you exhibit any form of cheating or malpractice, the service may alert the school. Additionally, the tuition fees for distance learning vary from institution to program to the country.

How Can I Become A professional Agriculturist?

The first step into the Agricultural profession is to earn a bachelor’s degree. So, if you are an aspiring agriculturist, you may have to enroll in an accredited Institution.

However, to get the best in this profession, you have to consider the top agriculture schools in the world such as Cornell University. You will be required to take classes in soil and plant science, chemistry, technical agriculture, agricultural mechanics, and animal husbandry.

A bachelor’s degree in the field is also a prerequisite for professional certification. Therefore, as an aspiring agricultural consultant, you should take a course load heavy in natural sciences.

To become successful in the agriculture field, you may acquire the basic skills and also learn about the principles of agriculture economics if you want to go into Agric-business operations for effective problem-solving.

What Skills Do I Need To Be successful in Agricultural Science?

If you really want to make the best out of your Agriculture career, you need outstanding skills like good communication skills.

In addition to your degree, you need to develop a strong interest in agriculture and the environment. Other skills needed to become a successful Agriculturist include:

  • Ability to make accurate observations, detect and solve problems
  • The ability to influence and leadership and coordinate teamwork
  • A deep understanding of business principles
  • Computer and Information Technology skills
  • Ability to plan and conduct research

List of Best Agriculture Schools In The World

We have created a list of top agriculture degrees online including Distance-learning master’s options. Courses in these categories may provide many opportunities for career advancement. So, you can choose a school that fits your demands.

The basics of our selection of these schools are the ranking criteria and the number of Agricultural related programs offered by the schools.

However, we also consider factors such as quality of education, average earnings of graduates, accreditation, and several other relevant factors.

We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and also by contacting individual schools. Below is the list of the schools, you will have to read further to get information on the various degree programs offered, tuition info, and program options for these schools.

  • Oklahoma State University
  • Southern Arkansas University
  • Texas A&M University
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Florida
  • North Carolina A&T State University
  • Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Purdue University
  • The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#1 Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University(OSU) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It is one of the top-ranked online Master’s degrees in agriculture; U.S. News ranks Oklahoma State as the 149th best national university and the 120th best college for veterans.

The school is widely known as one of the best colleges of agriculture that offers a lot of agricultural research programs. The tuition is 1,984 EUR per year for each student.

OSU offers Masters in Agricultural Education, Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Education, and Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Leadership. 

Online classes at OSU cost the same as on-campus courses at a rate of $223.30 per credit hour for residents of Oklahoma and $849.20 for non-residents. There are also fees totaling approximately $250 each semester.

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#2 Southern Arkansas University

With the Tuition of $5,714, you can acquire one of the best agriculture degrees online. Southern Arkansas University(SAU) offers an online master’s program is designed to prepare students to succeed in agricultural leadership and management positions and extension education.

Coursework covers topics in advanced leadership for agriculture professionals, adult education in agriculture, methods of organizing and teaching career orientation, and philosophy of agricultural education. A total of 33 credit hours are required for completion of the program. 

SAU also conducts research in multiple academic areas including agriculture. Although it is an on-campus program, all classes are available with an online option.

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#3 Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University offers three online degrees in Agriculture including Agriculture eLearning development, military land sustainability, and regulatory science in food systems.

Data from the US university ranking shows that Texas A&M University ranks #70 in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities. Its in-state tuition and fees are $11,232; out-of-state tuition and fees are $37,726.

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#4 University of Georgia

One of the top agricultural schools you can enroll in is the University of Georgia. The University offers an accredited online master’s in agriculture courses that are designed to prepare professionals to lead and teach about environmental, food, and social systems as related to agriculture.

In addition to academic programs, the University of Georgia ranks 61st best national university and the 50th best college for veterans by U.S. News.

Also, the school offers $20,757 per year for 33 credit hours and participates in the Federal Work-Study and there are various loans available.

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#5 University of Florida

One of the top research and best colleges of agriculture is the University of Florida. The school started in 1853 and is the third-largest Institution in Florida. More than 49,000 students enroll in 16 colleges and have access to over 150 research centers and institutes.

The University of Florida through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a low-cost Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

The institution’s research focuses on areas including the World food system, Climate change, and Energy.

Students at the University of Florida complete 16-week digital sessions on topics from Water Science to Agricultural Ecology.

After the sixth semester, seniors complete full-time summer work experiences, such as White Stone Farms or the National Turkey Federation. It In-State Tuition is $3,876 and out-of-state is $16,580.

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#6 North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University has a great college of agriculture with a wide selection of majors. The school is the second-best online accredited university for agriculture science degree offerings with a $6,612 in-state price.

The College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences provides a B.S. in Agricultural Education for two online specializations.

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Check out the available Agriculture Scholarships Around the World 2024

#7 Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor

Concordia University offers one of the best online agriculture courses including Product Development in Food and Beverage. The master’s program at the school is designed to provide skills from the beginning concept of a product to its management and marketing phases.

The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission accredits the school.

The online learning environment includes collaboration and hands-on applications. You can learn entrepreneurial skills while you gain knowledge in business, legal, and compliance matters – all essential to the Food and Beverage track.

#8 Johns Hopkins University

Get an agriculture degree online from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. Founded in 1876. The school offers a specialized master’s degree with the flexibility of AAP’s online options.

Programs available are Master of Science in Food Safety Regulation, Master of Science in Individualized Genomics and Health, and Master’s in Regulatory Science. 

Additionally, The school ranks 1st for Best Agriculture Colleges in Baltimore for 2024 and #46 for graduate employability ranking by Qs world rankings.

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#9 Purdue University

Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. It has 8 agricultural research stations and enables agriculture students to use modern technology to study emerging agricultural sub-discipline like plant pathology, natural resources, and landscape architecture.

The College of Agriculture offers online degrees in master’s and doctoral programs with tuition of $28,794. It also has four interdisciplinary programs including faculties and resources from other Purdue colleges.

The university has modern research facilities on-campus that enables students to use government grants to investigate topics like plant genetics and food security.

In addition to the school program, Purdue University maintained its position as one of the best schools for agriculture in the world.  Also, the institution ranked among the nation’s public universities and is 65th among all universities, according to U.S.News & World Report.

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#10 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was established in 1867. The institution comprises 17 colleges and offers an online Bachelor’s and Masters of Science in agriculture.

The online options include Master’s of Science in Agricultural Education, Master’s of Science in Crop Sciences.

Certificate & Diplomas options are Graduate Certificate of Professional Development in Crop Sciences, Urban Agriculture and, Graduate Certificate in Horticulture.

The unique thing about this Institution is that the College of ACES offers students scholarships in the agricultural, consumer, and environmental sciences.

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There are opportunities available for Agriculture students. Check out the Agrostudies Internships in Israel

Which Famous People Studied Agricultural Science?

There are many famous agriculture graduates around the world. George Washington Carver an Agricultural scientist was the first head of Tuskegee’s Agricultural Department. He developed the techniques of adding nitrogen to depleted soil.

Also, Booker T Washington an American educator started his agriculture career at Hampton Agricultural Institute, before proceeding to lead Tuskegee University.

Norman Borlaug, a Nobel Peace Prize winner studied at the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture. He is known for averting mass starvation in Indian through the development of dwarf wheat.

How Much Do Agriculturist Earn?

Graduates of the agriculture program earn about $40,791 for their early career and $76,822 in their mid-career. However, data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the median annual wage for agricultural and food scientists was $64,020 in the previous years.

What is Agricultural Science Career Prospect?

Farms employ 15% to 20% of the workforce globally. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, $115 billion in agricultural goods were exported from the United States.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the overall employment of agricultural and food scientists will grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.

Also, the employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow as research into agricultural production methods and techniques continues.

Conclusion

A career in Agricultural Science provides many fun and exciting opportunities. With a degree in agricultural science, you can have access to any careers in the agricultural sector. The schools in this article all display unique degree offerings and prepare students to work professionally in many fields of agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions On Online Agriculture Degree

The major branches of agriculture Include:
Farming
Horticulture
Fishery
Apiculture (Beekeeping)
Forestry.
Ranching.

The highest paying agriculture jobs are:
Veterinarian
Agricultural Engineer
Food Scientist
Animal Geneticist

Earn a bachelor’s degree in an accredited institution. You may have to consider a college like Purdue University.

The best schools in agriculture will include the following:
Oklahoma State University
Southern Arkansas University
Texas A&M University
University of Georgia
University of Florida

References

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