Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Farm manager education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a farm manager. Farm managers usually study business, animal science, or agricultural business. 55% of farm managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 5,047 real farm manager resumes to see exactly what farm manager education sections show.
The most common colleges for farm managers are the Michigan State University and the Michigan State University.
There are also many online farm manager courses to help get the education required to be a farm manager.
There are certain farm manager certifications that you should consider. These farm manager certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Agriculture Water Manager (CAWM).
What education do you need to become a farm manager?
What degree do you need to be a farm manager?
- Bachelor's, 55%
- Associate, 18%
- High School Diploma, 14%
- Master's, 6%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a farm manager?
- Business, 18%
- Animal Science, 12%
- Agriculture, 8%
- Other Majors, 52%
Most common colleges for farm managers
| Farm manager common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Michigan State University | 7.47% |
| University of Kentucky | 6.90% |
| Purdue University | 6.03% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.75% |
| Mississippi State University | 5.75% |
Best majors for farm managers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 18.3% |
| 2 | Animal Science | 12.2% |
| 3 | Agricultural Business | 9.9% |
| 4 | Agriculture | 7.5% |
| 5 | Plant Sciences | 7.1% |
Best colleges for farm managers
The best colleges for farm managers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A farm manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for farm managers. 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 farm managers.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for farm managers
Advertising disclosure
1. Dairy Production and Management
With the world's first MOOOOO-C, you will gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of all aspects of dairy management such as genetics, nutrition, reproduction, animal health, farm economics, and sustainability of dairy production systems. There's something here for everyone whether you are just looking for the basics or have years of experience in the dairy industry. This is an eight-week course. Each week consists of four to nine video lectures, additional reading materials, and a...
2. Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050
The Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 Course is based on a clear vision: imagine best practice farming for 2050, start to implement these strategies now, all the while making sure it will still be profitable. At UWA we're doing just that with the Future Farm 2050 Project, set on a mixed-enterprise farm in Western Australia and we want you to learn how it can be done in your part of the world. Although this course is based on agriculture, it's not only about farming. It is a...
3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
4. Aquaponics Farming & Gardening + Design Case Study
Wether you're thinking of an aquaponics farm or garden this course teaches you the how to's of designing & building one...
5. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management
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...
6. Product and Service Management
Know the Work that is Involved in Getting a Product Onto the Shelf and a Service Ready for Effective Delivery...
7. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
8. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...
9. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First
Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...
10. Growing Microgreens for Business and Pleasure
Get a healthy body and wallet - Vertical Farming techniques for Gardeners and Entrepreneurs (Hydroponics and Soil)...
11. Unity 2D Game Developer Course Farming RPG
Build the core systems for a 2D Farming RPG game using the Unity game engine and C# in this intermediate Unity course...
12. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
13. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module
Real World SAP CS and SD, Repair Orders, Service Orders, Service Contracts...
14. Start Improving Customer Service
Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...
15. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
16. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
17. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service
Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...
18. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control
Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...
19. Product Management Crash Course; IT Product Management
Product Management Essentials & Product Management Fundamentals to kick-start your career in Product Management...
20. Occupational Health & Safety Training
Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...
Top 10 most affordable universities for farm managers
The most affordable schools for farm managers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for farm managers 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 farm managers.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for farm managers
The hardest universities for farm managers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for farm managers 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 farm managers 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for farm managers
The easiest schools for farm managers 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 a farm manager 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 farm managers.
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. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
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. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average farm manager salary by education level
| Farm manager education level | Farm manager salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $61,796 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $53,424 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,640 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $55,544 |
Farm manager education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.
Search for farm manager jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025