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# Best Agriculture Colleges in the Midwest (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Regional list from [Best Agriculture Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-agriculture-colleges/)

Programs in this field[Agricultural Business and Management](/rankings/best-agricultural-business-and-management-programs-in-the-midwest/)[Agriculture, General](/rankings/best-agriculture-general-programs-in-the-midwest/)[Food Science](/rankings/best-food-science-programs-in-the-midwest/)

This page ranks the 36 Agriculture programs in the Midwest by median earnings of Agriculture graduates four years after completing. Across the 25 schools with a published figure, median earnings range from $66,368 to $21,781, with a median of $58,333.

[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) leads the list and ranks 35th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Public institutions dominate the list, accounting for 81% of the programs. [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/majors/) reports the highest six-year completion rate at 90%, while College of the Ozarks posts the lowest average net price at $6,100.

## The ranked list

36 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Agriculture Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | No published median | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
|  | [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/majors/) [ranks 35th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 85%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (262 graduates), Animal Sciences (131 graduates), Food Science and Technology (77 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($86,646), Food Science and Technology ($66,226), Plant Sciences ($63,279) |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | No published median | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 45%](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/admissions/), [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/majors/) graduates 90% of its students within six years. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Public Services (61 graduates), Animal Sciences (46 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($81,655), Agricultural Public Services ($71,726), Animal Sciences ($57,605) |
| 3 | Morningside University · Sioux City, IA | $66,368 | $31,320 | $33,738 | 71.0% |
|  | Morningside University, a private nonprofit university in Sioux City, reports median earnings of $66,368 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural and Food Products Processing (9 graduates) |
| 4 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, ND | No published median | $15,543 | $9,370 | 95.0% |
|  | [North Dakota State University-Main Campus](/school/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus/majors/) [admits 95% of applicants](/school/north-dakota-state-university-main-campus/admissions/) and carries an average net price of $15,543. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (51 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (44 graduates), Agricultural Production Operations (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Production Operations ($83,779), Agricultural Business and Management ($77,296), Agricultural Mechanization ($58,690) |
| 5 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $63,600 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
|  | Graduates of [Illinois State University](/school/illinois-state-university/majors/) earn a [median of $63,600](/school/illinois-state-university/outcomes/) four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate stands at 65%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture, General (122 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agriculture, General ($63,600) |
| 6 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | No published median | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
|  | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/majors/), in Columbus, posts an [average net price of $4,885](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (148 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (72 graduates), Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other (72 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other ($88,205), Food Science and Technology ($70,537), Agricultural Business and Management ($66,603) |
| 7 | Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN | $62,081 | $14,600 | $5,098 | 49.9% |
|  | [Purdue University-Main Campus](/school/purdue-university-main-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $62,081](/school/purdue-university-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 50%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (146 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (113 graduates), Food Science and Technology (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Mechanization ($73,393), Agricultural Business and Management ($65,900), Animal Sciences ($54,089) |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI | $62,051 | $14,559 | $8,833 | 91.8% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 51%](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/outcomes/), [University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point](/school/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point/majors/) reports median earnings of $62,051 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Soil Sciences (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Soil Sciences ($62,051) |
| 9 | South Dakota State University · Brookings, SD | $61,708 | $19,841 | $14,266 | 98.3% |
|  | [South Dakota State University](/school/south-dakota-state-university/majors/) [admits 98% of applicants](/school/south-dakota-state-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $61,708 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (117 graduates), Agriculture, General (45 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Plant Sciences ($78,494), Agricultural Mechanization ($67,746), Agricultural Business and Management ($67,425) |
| 10 | University of Nebraska at Kearney · Kearney, NE | $61,438 | $16,242 | $13,066 | 89.5% |
|  | [University of Nebraska at Kearney](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-kearney/majors/) reports an [average net price of $16,242](/school/university-of-nebraska-at-kearney/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 58%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($61,438) |
| 11 | Southeast Missouri State University · Cape Girardeau, MO | $61,034 | $15,882 | $12,704 | 73.5% |
|  | Graduates of [Southeast Missouri State University](/school/southeast-missouri-state-university/majors/) earn a [median of $61,034](/school/southeast-missouri-state-university/outcomes/) four years after completing, and the school admits 74% of applicants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (63 graduates), Plant Sciences (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($63,078) |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville · Platteville, WI | $61,007 | $16,032 | $9,009 | 89.4% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Platteville](/school/university-of-wisconsin-platteville/majors/) reports [median earnings of $61,007](/school/university-of-wisconsin-platteville/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $16,032. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (69 graduates), Animal Sciences (47 graduates), Plant Sciences (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Plant Sciences ($61,085), Animal Sciences ($53,530) |
| 13 | Iowa State University · Ames, IA | $60,287 | $18,589 | $10,582 | 88.7% |
|  | [Iowa State University](/school/iowa-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,287](/school/iowa-state-university/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate reaches 75%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (241 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (166 graduates), Plant Sciences (89 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Mechanization ($78,890), Agricultural Business and Management ($67,529), Food Science and Technology ($65,943) |
| 14 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $60,183 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 82%](/school/kansas-state-university/admissions/), [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/majors/) admits a large share of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 71%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (238 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (85 graduates), Plant Sciences (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural and Food Products Processing ($91,040), Food Science and Technology ($78,367), Agricultural Business and Management ($66,387) |
| 15 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | No published median | $20,268 | $13,841 | 78.5% |
|  | [University of Missouri-Columbia](/school/university-of-missouri-columbia/majors/) carries an [average net price of $20,268](/school/university-of-missouri-columbia/cost/) and graduates 75% of its students within six years. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (81 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (44 graduates), Plant Sciences (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($82,831), Agricultural Mechanization ($75,958), Plant Sciences ($62,957) |
| 16 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $58,928 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
|  | [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $58,928](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $7,068 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (126 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (55 graduates), Food Science and Technology (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Food Science and Technology ($70,380), Agricultural Business and Management ($69,108), Soil Sciences ($67,666) |
| 17 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis, MN | $58,441 | $16,778 | $6,642 | 79.8% |
|  | [University of Minnesota-Twin Cities](/school/university-of-minnesota-twin-cities/majors/) [graduates 85% of its students within six years](/school/university-of-minnesota-twin-cities/outcomes/) and reports median earnings of $58,441 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (104 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (58 graduates), Plant Sciences (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Food Science and Technology ($70,705), Agricultural Business and Management ($69,498), Plant Sciences ($52,707) |
| 18 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $58,333 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 71.2% |
|  | [Western Illinois University](/school/western-illinois-university/majors/) [ranks 561st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/western-illinois-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $12,937. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture, General (64 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agriculture, General ($58,333) |
| 19 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Lincoln, NE | No published median | $17,747 | $12,751 | 87.5% |
|  | [University of Nebraska-Lincoln](/school/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/majors/) [admits 87% of applicants](/school/university-of-nebraska-lincoln/admissions/) and shows a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (99 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (92 graduates), Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other (81 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Mechanization ($74,003), Agricultural Business and Management ($65,312), Plant Sciences ($61,946) |
| 20 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $56,895 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
|  | [Southern Illinois University-Carbondale](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/majors/) reports [median earnings of $56,895](/school/southern-illinois-university-carbondale/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 62%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (27 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (25 graduates), Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Soil Sciences ($74,026), Agricultural Business and Management ($71,910), Agriculture, General ($57,596) |
| 21 | Northwest Missouri State University · Maryville, MO | No published median | $16,244 | $13,176 | 86.1% |
|  | [Northwest Missouri State University](/school/northwest-missouri-state-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $16,244](/school/northwest-missouri-state-university/cost/) and graduates 54% of its students within six years. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (61 graduates), Agriculture, General (29 graduates), Plant Sciences (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($58,035), Agriculture, General ($49,328) |
| 22 | Dordt University · Sioux Center, IA | No published median | $25,807 | $22,597 | 68.5% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Sioux Center, Dordt University admits 68% of applicants and graduates 70% of its students within six years. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (10 graduates), Animal Sciences (6 graduates) |
| 23 | Chadron State College · Chadron, NE | $53,484 | $12,549 | $10,047 | Not reported |
|  | Chadron State College reports median earnings of $53,484 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, with a six-year completion rate of 50%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Plant Sciences (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Plant Sciences ($53,484) |
| 24 | Dickinson State University · Dickinson, ND | $52,529 | $14,092 | $10,479 | 37.0% |
|  | Dickinson State University admits 37% of applicants, and its six-year completion rate is 51%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture, General (18 graduates) |
| 25 | Wilmington College · Wilmington, OH | $52,319 | $24,153 | $19,820 | 92.4% |
|  | [Wilmington College](/school/wilmington-college/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Wilmington, reports [$52,319 in median earnings](/school/wilmington-college/outcomes/) of Agriculture graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $24,153. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($52,319) |
| 26 | Truman State University · Kirksville, MO | $52,303 | $12,780 | $6,046 | 83.8% |
|  | [Truman State University](/school/truman-state-university/majors/) [admits 84% of applicants](/school/truman-state-university/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 69%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture, General (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agriculture, General ($52,303) |
| 27 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls · River Falls, WI | No published median | $14,054 | $8,472 | 81.7% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-River Falls](/school/university-of-wisconsin-river-falls/majors/) [ranks 638th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-wisconsin-river-falls/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $8,472 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (184 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (48 graduates), Plant Sciences (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Plant Sciences ($59,732), Agricultural Business and Management ($57,307), Animal Sciences ($48,680) |
| 28 | Fort Hays State University · Hays, KS | No published median | $12,569 | $7,661 | 90.3% |
|  | [Fort Hays State University](/school/fort-hays-state-university/majors/) [graduates 48% of its students within six years](/school/fort-hays-state-university/outcomes/) and carries an admission rate of 90%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (55 graduates), Agriculture, General (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($58,520) |
| 29 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $47,248 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 63.8% |
|  | [University of Central Missouri](/school/university-of-central-missouri/majors/) reports [$47,248 in median earnings](/school/university-of-central-missouri/outcomes/) of Agriculture graduates four years after completing alongside a six-year completion rate of 54%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($47,248) |
| 30 | The University of Findlay · Findlay, OH | $46,744 | $27,221 | $22,052 | 83.4% |
|  | The University of Findlay ranks 30th on this list and posts an average net price of $22,052 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs (50 graduates), Animal Sciences (32 graduates), Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Animal Sciences ($46,977), Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs ($46,798), Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services ($46,301) |
| 31 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $45,892 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 90.5% |
|  | [Missouri State University-Springfield](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/majors/) [admits 91% of applicants](/school/missouri-state-university-springfield/admissions/) and reports $45,892 in median earnings of Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (59 graduates), Plant Sciences (45 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (35 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($50,995), Plant Sciences ($47,267), Agriculture, General ($46,412) |
| 32 | College of the Ozarks · Point Lookout, MO | $44,819 | $6,100 | $6,381 | 12.0% |
|  | [College of the Ozarks](/school/college-of-the-ozarks/majors/) holds the lowest admission rate on the page at 12% and lists an [average net price of $6,100](/school/college-of-the-ozarks/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (9 graduates), Plant Sciences (8 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($49,360) |
| 33 | University of Minnesota-Crookston · Crookston, MN | No published median | $12,212 | $5,758 | 87.9% |
|  | University of Minnesota-Crookston ranks 769th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $5,758 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (14 graduates), Plant Sciences (13 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Plant Sciences ($59,240) |
| 34 | Southwest Minnesota State University · Marshall, MN | $42,123 | $15,291 | $10,559 | 62.2% |
|  | [Southwest Minnesota State University](/school/southwest-minnesota-state-university/majors/) reports [$42,123 in median earnings](/school/southwest-minnesota-state-university/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates two years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 45%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (9 graduates), Plant Sciences (8 graduates) |
| 35 | William Woods University · Fulton, MO | $33,757 | $26,569 | $24,014 | 71.0% |
|  | William Woods University ranks 35th on this list and posts an average net price of $24,014 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services ($33,757) |
| 36 | Lake Erie College · Painesville, OH | $21,781 | $20,961 | $20,195 | 70.4% |
|  | Lake Erie College reports $21,781 in median earnings for its Agriculture graduates two years after completing and an admission rate of 70%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (8 graduates), Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services (5 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Agriculture graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Agriculture earnings cohort in the Midwest appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 2 of the 36 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 25 schools with a published figure. The spread from top to bottom is $44,587, from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to University of Wisconsin-Madison.

## Job market context in the Midwest

Graduates of Agriculture programs in the Midwest enter occupations such as Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals, First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers, and Agricultural Technicians. Across those occupations the median annual wage is $53,193, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $43,581. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 1.9% higher, with about 4,356 openings a year for every hundred graduates, suggesting more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the occupation-wide wages described here.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Agriculture Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-agriculture-colleges/)
-   [Best Colleges in the Midwest](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Agriculture Colleges in the Northeast](/rankings/best-agriculture-colleges-in-the-northeast/)
-   [Best Agriculture Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-agriculture-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Agriculture Colleges in the West](/rankings/best-agriculture-colleges-in-the-west/)
-   Agriculture Colleges in the Midwest for Social Mobility