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Agricultural specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an agricultural specialist. Agricultural specialists usually study biology, agricultural business, or business. 65% of agricultural specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 299 real agricultural specialist resumes to see exactly what agricultural specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for agricultural specialists are the University of Florida and the University of Florida.

There are also many online agricultural specialist courses to help get the education required to be an agricultural specialist.

What education do you need to become an agricultural specialist?

What degree do you need to be an agricultural specialist?

The most common degree for agricultural specialists is bachelor's degree, with 65% of agricultural specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Master's, 15%
  • Associate, 11%
  • High School Diploma, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an agricultural specialist?

You should major in biology to become an agricultural specialist. 16% of agricultural specialists major in biology. Other common majors for an agricultural specialist include agricultural business and business.

Most common colleges for agricultural specialists

Agricultural specialists often get their degrees at University of Florida, Alcorn State University, and Texas A&M; University. Here are the most common colleges for agricultural specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Agricultural specialist common collegePercentages
University of Florida13.46%
Alcorn State University7.69%
Texas A&M University5.77%
University of Wisconsin Colleges5.77%
Sam Houston State University5.77%

Best majors for agricultural specialists

RankMajorPercentages
1Biology16.4%
2Agricultural Business11.8%
3Business10.5%
4Plant Sciences9.2%
5Agriculture5.9%

Best colleges for agricultural specialists

The best colleges for agricultural specialists are Stanford University, Cornell University, and Northwestern University.

An agricultural specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for agricultural specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become agricultural specialists.

1. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

5. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

6. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

7. University of Minnesota - Crookston

Crookston, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$11,822

Enrollment

1,834

8. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

9. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lincoln, NE • Private

In-state tuition

$9,242

Enrollment

20,592

10. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

20 best online courses for agricultural specialists

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1. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management

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Learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection and by learning the problem-solving skills needed to advance animal health and food production through optimal management practices. There is a growing global need in agricultural production for a workforce that is capable of integrating knowledge of animal health and production with an understanding of consumer preferences in the context of...

2. Issues in Supply Chain Management

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Learners in this course will examine global trade agreements -- including policies, barriers, and regulations -- of agricultural commodities, and discuss implications of world and economic disruptions on the food supply chain. Throughout this course, learners will also discuss issues of sustainability, technology, and the environment as it relates to the supply and distribution of food products. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs. To learn more about online...

3. Tableau Data Analyst/Specialist Desktop Certification

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From beginners to skills needed for Data Analyst or Desktop Specialist certifications. Tableau 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020...

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5. Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy

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Welcome to "Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy". One Health is the concept that human, animal, and environmental/ecosystem health are linked. The concept provides a useful framework for examining complex health issues such as food safety and security, emerging and vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. It can be used to analyze government policies to determine if they are effective in improving health and well-being. Agriculture is the foundation of...

6. Population, Food, and Soil

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This course explores the population-environment relationship. In this course, you will learn about the human population and the ways in which changes in the population affect the environment. Agriculture, soils, and the environmental implications of eating meat, vegetables, local, organic, sustainable, industrial, and other types of food are discussed too. We explore questions such as: 1. How many people live on Earth right now? 2. What is the carrying capacity of Earth? 3. What is the...

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8. Fun food safety and sanitation course

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The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

9. Education on climate change: water and soil

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This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...

10. The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

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The 18-step process for ensuring new parts are consistently manufactured and meet their customers' quality expectations...

11. Tableau Data Analyst & Specialist Certifications /w Datasets

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14. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

15. Data Analysis Excel for Beginners: Statistical Data Analysis

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16. Pareto Analysis Masterclass: Pareto Specialist (Accredited)

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20. Six Sigma Green Belt: Kano Analysis Specialist (Accredited)

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Prioritize Customer Needs with Kano Analysis Achieve Kano Analysis Specialist Certification Earn PDUs CPDs CEUs...

Top 10 most affordable universities for agricultural specialists

The most affordable schools for agricultural specialists are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for agricultural specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for agricultural specialists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for agricultural specialists

The hardest universities for agricultural specialists to get into are Stanford University, Cornell University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for agricultural specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for agricultural specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

Admissions rate

30%

SAT average

1,339

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for agricultural specialists

The easiest schools for agricultural specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an agricultural specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for agricultural specialists.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

Average agricultural specialist salary by education level

Agricultural specialists with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $53,018 annually. With a Associate degree, agricultural specialists earn a median annual income of $51,998 compared to $50,392 for agricultural specialists with an High School Diploma degree.
Agricultural specialist education levelAgricultural specialist salary
High School Diploma or Less$50,392
Bachelor's Degree$53,018
Some College/ Associate Degree$51,998

Agricultural specialist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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