Best Agriculture Colleges and Universities in the World
About Agriculture
Agriculture is an interdisciplinary academic field concerned with the study of the scientific, technical, and managerial aspects of agriculture and allied areas. Education in agriculture opens options for a career in one of the largest industries in the world. The world of agriculture is not limited to farm management but extends to other specialized fields such as horticulture, botany, aquaculture and touches upon technical ones such as genetic engineering, microbiology, and soil science. It also prepares a student to address issues concerning production, consumption, and wastage of food and other agricultural products and remedy them through policies or solutions on a national and global scale.
Duties of an Agriculturist
Duties of an agriculturist may differ with each specialization. Still, certain features remain the same at the profession’s core:
- Conducting research in their areas of specialization to gain insights.
- Planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating agricultural projects.
- Educating stakeholders and the community about recent discoveries and developments.
- Working in partnership with various government and non-government organizations.
- Ensuring the high quality of production for the safety and welfare of the community.
- Contributing to the global ideologies of sustainable development and environmental protection,
Qualities of a Good Agriculturist
Being passionate and curious about their field of study is probably the most important quality expected of an agriculturist. This field offers something new to learn every day. It is up to agriculturists to grasp as much as possible to make educated decisions that may impact society, the environment, and the economy. An agriculturist should be able to apply these learnings in real-life scenarios and put critical thinking skills to good use. It is also imperative that they are a good team player and can lead a team towards ethical agricultural practices. As agriculture is a complex field, agriculturists are expected to employ their numerical ability, business acumen, and research skills.
Popular Degrees for Pursuing a Career in Agriculture
Bachelor’s Level
- BSc Agriculture
- Bachelor of Agribusiness
- Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
- Bachelor of Engineering Science (Agricultural Engineering)
- Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology
- BSc Agricultural Business Management
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Horticulture Major
- Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Food and Farming
Master’s Level
- MSc Agriculture and Development
- Master of Food Science and Agribusiness
- MSc Agricultural Economics
- Master of Agribusiness
- MSc Business for Agri-food and Rural Enterprise
- Master of Agriculture and Environment
- Master of Applied Science in Forestry
- M.S. in Agricultural Education
- MSc Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
PhD and Doctorate Level
- Ph.D Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- PhD Environment and Agriculture
- PhD Plant Science: Bioinformatics
- PhD Agri-Environmental Economics
- PhD Forestry
- PhD Crop Science
- PhD Horticulture
Specialization under Agriculture
Agribusiness
Agribusiness is a generalized term that includes all such activities and processes concerned with the manufacturing and distribution of farm products. These activities can consist of the production, storage, processing, marketing, financing, transportation, and handling of the products across the supply chain network. Agribusiness can include large commercial corporations or small-scale home-owned businesses. Every agribusiness endeavor aims to maximize profit while ensuring the satisfaction of consumers.
Agronomy
Agronomy is the intersection of science and technology to research, improve and manage areas related to plant genetics, plant physiology, plant protection, crop and soil science, and economy. Agronomists can be considered experts in determining the properties of the soil and how it interacts with the crops. They understand the nutritional needs of the crop, analyze the environmental impact on crops and plants to protect them from unfavorable conditions, and prevent infestation of pests and fungi. Usually, agronomists specialize in one or more types of crop.
Agricultural Biotechnology
Agricultural Biotechnology is a highly specialized, knowledge-centric field that incorporates the use of technology, such as genetic engineering, to modify crops and plants in a way that improves their quality and eases the process of agriculture. Biotechnology in agriculture is used to make crops cheaper with reduced production costs, more abundant to keep pace with the growing demand for food, and resistant to several biotic and abiotic factors.
Agriculture Engineering
Agriculture Engineering deals in the study, planning and design, and application of processes and systems for carrying out agriculture. Agriculture Engineering is usually seen in the development of farm motors and machinery, power supplies, land layouts, storage systems, irrigation and drainage systems. An agriculture engineer is expected to work with agriculturists who are well versed in the agricultural process.
Forestry
Forestry, in recent years, has come to be recognized as one of the most vital aspects of the biosphere. Forestry is often described as the art and science of creating and managing forests while keeping in view the conservation objects to balance the ecology and prevent altering habitats.
Landscaping
Landscaping refers to the planning and structuring of gardens and other vast areas in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The work of a landscaper can include the manipulation of flora and fauna, terrains, water bodies, and lighting to enhance the artistic beauty of a location. A landscaper may work with individual clients who wish to enhance areas of their homes or with organizations that wish to improve properties of public interest.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture involves cultivating aquatic beings like fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and plants under controlled or semi-controlled environments. Aquaculture practiced in seawater is referred to as Mariculture. Pisciculture, also a part of aquaculture, is the specialized cultivation of fish for food and other fish-based products.
Horticulture
Horticulture is considered the art and science of sustainable production and marketing of plants for food or ornamental purposes. Horticulturists are in essence agriculturists but specialize in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs and decorative plants. Viticulture, which is the production of grapes for winemaking, is also a part of horticulture.
Average Salary of an Agriculturist
| Profession | US | Canada | UK | Australia |
| Agronomist | $68,784 | $62,401 | $55,660 | $80,091 |
| Agriculture Biotechnologist | $70,007 | $87,830 | $70,670 | $89,220 |
| Agriculture Engineer | $84,410 | $80,908 | $58,949 | $93,122 |
| Forester | $63,980 | $45,772 | $77,139 | $82,165 |
| Landscaper | $60,674 | $79,486 | $41,000 | $87,828 |
| Horticulturist | $42,017 | $50,228 | $30,564 | $62,519 |
Duration for Completing Agriculture Education
| Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs | Doctoral Programs |
| United States | 4 years | 1-2 years | 2-4 years |
| Canada | 4 years | 1-2 years | 3 years |
| United Kingdom | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-5 years |
| Australia | 3 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Top Universities for Agriculture based on Various Rankings
| QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | US News Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
| 1 | 1 | NA | Wageningen Univerity of Research | Netherlands | Click here | Click here |
| 2 | 6 | 7 | University of California Davis | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 3 | 10 | 42 | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Sweden | Click here | Click here |
| 4 | NA | 75 | AgroParisTech | France | Click here | Click here |
| 5 | 9 | 8 | Cornell University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 6 | 35 | 36 | ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology | Switzerland | Click here | Click here |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | China Agricultural University | China | Click here | Click here |
| 8 | 17 | 28 | University of Wisconsin Madison | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 9 | 35 | NA | University of California Berkeley (UCB) | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 10 | 11 | 23 | Michigan State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 11 | 13 | 17 | Ghent University | Belgium | Click here | Click here |
| 12 | 151-200 | 62 | University of Reading | United Kingdom | Click here | Click here |
| 13 | 14 | 17 | University of Copenhagen | Denmark | Click here | Click here |
| 14 | 24 | 32 | Iowa State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 15 | 29 | 24 | Purdue University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 16 | 37 | 38 | Texas A&M University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 17 | 21 | 41 | University of British Columbia | Canada | Click here | Click here |
| 18 | 51-75 | 34 | University of Hohenheim | Germany | Click here | Click here |
| 19 | 76-100 | NA | Norwegian University of Life Sciences | Norway | Click here | Click here |
| 20 | 40 | 69 | Oregon State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 21 | 28 | 21 | University of Guelph | Canada | Click here | Click here |
| 22 | 51-75 | 138 | The University of Tokyo | Japan | Click here | Click here |
| 23 | 3 | 8 | Nanjing Agricultural University | China | Click here | Click here |
| 24 | 48 | 53 | Pennsylvania State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 25 | 7 | 15 | University of Florida | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 26 | 25 | 63 | University of Göttingen | Germany | Click here | Click here |
| 27 | 22 | 14 | The University of Queensland | Australia | Click here | Click here |
| 28 | 15 | 49 | Aarhus University | Denmark | Click here | Click here |
| 29 | 18 | 21 | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 30 | 76-100 | NA | University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna | Austria | Click here | Click here |
| 31 | 51-75 | 39 | The Ohio State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 32 | 38 | 44 | Technical University of Munich | Germany | Click here | Click here |
| 33 | 31 | 61 | North Carolina State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 34 | 151-200 | 72 | Massey University | New Zealand | Click here | Click here |
| 35 | 101-150 | 5 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 36 | 26 | 45 | University of Minnesota Twin Cities | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 37 | 30 | 79 | The University of Georgia | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 38 | 8 | 6 | Zhejiang University | China | Click here | Click here |
| 39 | 51-75 | NA | The Australian National University | Australia | Click here | Click here |
| 40 | 43 | 48 | Kansas State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 41 | 27 | 50 | South China Agricultural University | China | Click here | Click here |
| 42 | 76-100 | 70 | Seoul National University | South Korea | Click here | Click here |
| 43 | 76-100 | 143 | Kyoto University | Japan | Click here | Click here |
| 44 | 76-100 | 30 | Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna | Italy | Click here | Click here |
| 45 | 34 | 30 | Washington State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 46 | 51-75 | 54 | Colorado State University | United States | Click here | Click here |
| 47 | 19 | 10 | Universidade de São Paulo | Brazil | Click here | Click here |
| 48 | 46 | 78 | University of Helsinki | Finland | Click here | Click here |
| 49 | 151-200 | 13 | Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) | Brazil | Click here | Click here |
| 50 | 51-75 | NA | The University of Edinburgh | United Kingdom | Click here | Click here |
Top Agriculture Universities in USA
| QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | US News Ranking | University | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
| 2 | 6 | 7 | University of California Davis | Click here | Click here |
| 5 | 9 | 8 | Cornell University | Click here | Click here |
| 8 | 17 | 28 | University of Wisconsin Madison | Click here | Click here |
| 9 | 35 | NA | University of California Berkeley (UCB) | Click here | Click here |
| 10 | 11 | 23 | Michigan State University | Click here | Click here |
Top Agriculture Universities in Canada
| QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | US News Ranking | University | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
| 17 | 21 | 41 | University of British Columbia | Click here | Click here |
| 21 | 28 | 21 | University of Guelph | Click here | Click here |
| 53 | 151-200 | 55 | McGill University | Click here | Click here |
| 82 | 76-100 | 84 | University of Saskatchewan | Click here | Click here |
| 86 | 40 | NA | University of Alberta | Click here | Click here |
Top Agriculture Universities in UK
| QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | US News Ranking | University | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
| 12 | 151-200 | 62 | University of Reading | Click here | Click here |
| 50 | 51-75 | NA | The University of Edinburgh | Click here | Click here |
| 70 | 51-75 | 82 | University of Nottingham | Click here | Click here |
| 85 | 101-150 | 58 | University of Leeds | Click here | Click here |
| 96 | 101-150 | 88 | University of Aberdeen | Click here | Click here |
Top Agriculture Universities in Australia
| QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | US News Ranking | University | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
| 27 | 22 | 14 | The University of Queensland | Click here | Click here |
| 39 | 51-75 | NA | The Australian National University | Click here | Click here |
| 51 | 16 | 29 | The University of Western Australia | Click here | Click here |
| 55 | 32 | 66 | The University of Melbourne | Click here | Click here |
| 60 | 44 | 36 | The University of Sydney | Click here | Click here |
Academic Requirements for Studying Agriculture in Top Universities
Bachelor’s Level
Entry requirements for a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture may be different depending on the choice of university. However, the below-mentioned information can be used as a guideline:
- Applicants must have subjects of English, Statistics, and Mathematics in their 12th-grade curriculum.
- An average percentage score of 60-80 or above in 10th and 12th-grade
- Minimum English proficiency scores: TOEFL iBT- 87 to 89, TOEFL PB-570, Pearsons- 64, IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
- Documents like Statement of Purpose/Motivation Letter, or any certificates of extracurricular activities may be required as per each university’s specifications.
Master’s Level
- A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, science, engineering, economics, dietetics, or health, with at least 60% average or equivalent qualification.
- Work experience/Internship
- English Language Proficiency with minimum results of 6.5 in IELTS, 85 in TOEFL and 61 in Pearson.
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
Doctoral Level
Along with their application, students may be required to submit some/all of the following documents:
- Documents of mark sheets, exam results, diploma, etc.
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Proof of financial support
Exams To Be Passed for Practising Agricultural Professions
There are no specific licenses to be obtained for obtaining or practicing jobs in agriculture. Having sufficient qualifications such as educational degrees or diplomas and work experience as per the job description is usually enough. But securing a job in the government may require the applicant to be a citizen of the country.
However, several licenses and permits are needed if one wants to start their own business or dealership in agricultural products.
