[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/)

# Best Agriculture Colleges in the West (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-west/)[Agriculture, General](/rankings/best-agriculture-general-programs-in-the-west/)[Food Science](/rankings/best-food-science-programs-in-the-west/)[Plant Sciences](/rankings/best-plant-sciences-programs-in-the-west/)

This page ranks the 22 Agriculture programs in the West by median earnings of Agriculture graduates four years after completing. [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $73,630 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the 15 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $73,630 to $26,353, with a median of $52,481. For 3 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

The list is overwhelmingly public: 21 of the 22 schools are public, and the lone private nonprofit is [Brigham Young University](/school/brigham-young-university/majors/). California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price at $3,967, while California State University-Los Angeles ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

22 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Agriculture Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $73,630 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
|  | [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/majors/) reports [$73,630 in median earnings](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate of 86% is the highest on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (165 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (120 graduates), Food Science and Technology (101 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($88,396), Agriculture, General ($84,412), Plant Sciences ($82,487) |
| 2 | Brigham Young University · Provo, UT | No published median | $15,564 | $10,444 | 67.8% |
|  | [Brigham Young University](/school/brigham-young-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Provo, ranks 2nd on this list and posts an [average net price of $15,564](/school/brigham-young-university/cost/) alongside a six-year completion rate of 81%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Soil Sciences (24 graduates), Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (22 graduates), Food Science and Technology (11 graduates) |
| 3 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $65,006 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
|  | [California State University-Fresno](/school/california-state-university-fresno/majors/) shows [median earnings of $65,006](/school/california-state-university-fresno/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, combined with an average net price of $7,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (109 graduates), Animal Sciences (88 graduates), Food Science and Technology (63 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Plant Sciences ($77,034), Agricultural Business and Management ($67,731), Food Science and Technology ($64,225) |
| 4 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $64,669 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 98%](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/admissions/), [California State University-Stanislaus](/school/california-state-university-stanislaus/majors/) admits nearly all applicants and reports median earnings of $64,669 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture, General (29 graduates) |
| 5 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $59,146 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
|  | [California State University-Chico](/school/california-state-university-chico/majors/) ranks 5th on this list and reports [median earnings of $59,146](/school/california-state-university-chico/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, above the list median of $52,481. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agricultural Business and Management (77 graduates), Animal Sciences (67 graduates), Agriculture, General (48 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Plant Sciences ($68,629), Agricultural Business and Management ($65,198), Animal Sciences ($48,474) |
| 6 | Oregon State University · Corvallis, OR | $57,242 | $19,604 | $12,107 | 77.3% |
|  | [Oregon State University](/school/oregon-state-university/majors/) [graduates 70% of its students within six years](/school/oregon-state-university/outcomes/) and reports median earnings of $57,242 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture, General (67 graduates), Animal Sciences (63 graduates), Plant Sciences (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($72,311), Food Science and Technology ($63,531), Plant Sciences ($57,950) |
| 7 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $56,610 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
|  | [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/majors/) [ranks 15th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $56,610 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (139 graduates), Food Science and Technology (24 graduates), Plant Sciences (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Food Science and Technology ($75,601), Plant Sciences ($66,714), Animal Sciences ($53,017) |
| 8 | Montana State University · Bozeman, MT | $55,744 | $22,499 | $17,797 | 82.1% |
|  | Montana State University reports median earnings of $55,744 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $22,499. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (41 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (24 graduates), Plant Sciences (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($79,621), Animal Sciences ($46,313), Plant Sciences ($45,392) |
| 9 | University of Wyoming · Laramie, WY | No published median | $13,599 | $7,977 | 96.9% |
|  | [University of Wyoming](/school/university-of-wyoming/majors/) ranks 9th on this list and carries an [average net price of $7,977](/school/university-of-wyoming/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (50 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (46 graduates), Plant Sciences (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($64,200), Plant Sciences ($52,652), Animal Sciences ($49,092) |
| 10 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | No published median | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
|  | [California State University-Los Angeles](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/majors/) holds the lowest average net price on the page at $3,967 and [ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Food Science and Technology (8 graduates) |
| 11 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | No published median | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
|  | [University of California-Davis](/school/university-of-california-davis/majors/) [admits 42% of applicants](/school/university-of-california-davis/admissions/) and graduates 86% of its students within six years, with an average net price of $14,741. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (368 graduates), Food Science and Technology (63 graduates), Agricultural Production Operations (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Food Science and Technology ($70,571), Animal Sciences ($48,441) |
| 12 | University of Nevada-Reno · Reno, NV | $52,481 | $15,927 | $12,674 | 73.7% |
|  | Median earnings of $52,481 for Agriculture graduates four years after completing are reported by [University of Nevada-Reno](/school/university-of-nevada-reno/majors/), which [graduates 61% of its students within six years](/school/university-of-nevada-reno/outcomes/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs (33 graduates), Agriculture, General (10 graduates), Plant Sciences (9 graduates) |
| 13 | Washington State University · Pullman, WA | No published median | $14,971 | $7,074 | 86.6% |
|  | [Washington State University](/school/washington-state-university/majors/) ranks 13th on this list and reports an [average net price of $7,074](/school/washington-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (107 graduates), Food Science and Technology (32 graduates), Agricultural Production Operations (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Food Science and Technology ($68,719), Animal Sciences ($41,634) |
| 14 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins · Fort Collins, CO | $49,835 | $21,279 | $13,259 | 88.5% |
|  | [Colorado State University-Fort Collins](/school/colorado-state-university-fort-collins/majors/) reports [median earnings of $49,835](/school/colorado-state-university-fort-collins/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (88 graduates), Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services (75 graduates), Plant Sciences (58 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services ($66,984), Agricultural Business and Management ($58,983), Soil Sciences ($57,671) |
| 15 | University of Idaho · Moscow, ID | $49,547 | $14,831 | $11,270 | 75.5% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 76%](/school/university-of-idaho/admissions/), [University of Idaho](/school/university-of-idaho/majors/) posts median earnings of $49,547 for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (49 graduates), Plant Sciences (26 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($80,690), Plant Sciences ($47,392), Animal Sciences ($40,935) |
| 16 | University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ | No published median | $16,674 | $13,353 | 86.1% |
|  | [University of Arizona](/school/university-of-arizona/majors/) ranks 16th on this list and holds an [Azimuth composite rank of 75th](/school/university-of-arizona/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs (80 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (29 graduates), Animal Sciences (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($66,833), Animal Sciences ($45,548), Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs ($41,591) |
| 17 | University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI | $44,096 | $11,856 | $8,983 | 60.6% |
|  | An average net price of $11,856 and a six-year completion rate of 48% are reported by University of Hawaii at Hilo. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Agriculture, General (23 graduates) |
| 18 | University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI | $42,671 | $15,664 | $10,675 | 86.6% |
|  | [University of Hawaii at Manoa](/school/university-of-hawaii-at-manoa/majors/) reports [median earnings of $42,671](/school/university-of-hawaii-at-manoa/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates four years after completing, and an admission rate of 87%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (27 graduates), Agricultural Production Operations (7 graduates) |
| 19 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $39,927 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
|  | [California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/majors/) reports [median earnings of $39,927](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/outcomes/) for its Agriculture graduates two years after completing, and an admission rate of 98%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Plant Sciences (8 graduates) |
| 20 | New Mexico State University-Main Campus · Las Cruces, NM | No published median | $8,889 | $6,648 | 89.0% |
|  | [New Mexico State University-Main Campus](/school/new-mexico-state-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 20th on this list and reports an [average net price of $6,648](/school/new-mexico-state-university-main-campus/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (67 graduates), Agricultural Business and Management (20 graduates), Plant Sciences (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Agricultural Business and Management ($63,139), Animal Sciences ($36,858) |
| 21 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus · Portales, NM | $32,569 | $4,904 | $3,663 | 91.7% |
|  | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus reports median earnings of $32,569 for its Agriculture graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $4,904. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Animal Sciences (8 graduates) |
| 22 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $26,353 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
|  | [University of California-Santa Cruz](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 75%](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/outcomes/) and an Azimuth composite rank of 109th among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Plant Sciences (13 graduates), Agricultural Production Operations (6 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 West appear. The figures are medians for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 3 of the 22 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 15 schools with a published figure. The spread from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo to the bottom of the list is $47,277, and the median across the listed schools is $52,481.

## Job market context in the West

Graduates of Agriculture programs in the West enter a labor market that includes occupations such as Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals, First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers, and Food Science Technicians. The median annual wage across those occupations is $59,318, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $48,470. Projections for 2024 to 2034 show about 306,970 openings a year, or about 7,869 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 7.1% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, which is a different measure from the occupational wage figures described here.

## Related rankings

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