International Agriculture: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 2 college programs, at a typical net price.
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
What International Agriculture pays
Career outlook for International Agriculture graduates
The job market for the occupations International Agriculture graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food scientists and technologists | 15,200 | +6.5% | $85,310 | Bachelor's degree |
| Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary | 10,700 | +4.1% | $86,350 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
International Agriculture vs similar majors
How International Agriculture stacks up against the closest fields in Agriculture & Related Sciences on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| International Agriculture Agriculture & Related Sciences · this major | Veterinary Medicine | Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences | Agricultural and Food Products Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 46 D | 80 A | 76 B | 75 B |
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $59,892 | $120,579 | $84,630 | $71,906 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $52,068 | $100,829 | $55,544 | $76,052 |
| ROI vs cost | +87% | +460% | +343% | +234% |
| Typical debt | $21,500 | $172,552 | $47,703 | $23,250 |
| Colleges offering it | 2 | 28 | 6 | 2 |
International Agriculture earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for International Agriculture
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | Certificate | $68,183 | — | +293% | Strong return |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames, IA | Associate's | $51,601 | $21,500 | +47% | Break-even |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.