How the Best U.S. Colleges in Ag Sciences Stack up for 2024

Posted by Paul Rusnak|Updated: October 18, 2023

Do you dig agricultural sciences? Many colleges in the U.S. are widely known for programs that cultivate careers in the field. Some higher education institutions though stand above the rest. Niche, a Pittsburgh, PA-based data science company that serves as a review and search platform for education, recently updated its stats and compiled a list it calls the “2024 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America.”

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1. Cornell

Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 9%

Photo courtesy of Cornell University
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2. University of Florida

Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 30%

Photo courtesy of the University of Florida
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3. Texas A&M University

Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 64%

Photo courtesy of Texas A&M University
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4. UC Davis

Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 49%

Photo courtesy of UC Davis
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5. Oklahoma State University

Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 68%

Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University
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6. Kansas State University

Overall Niche grade: A-; Acceptance rate: 96%

Photo courtesy of Kansas State University
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7. University of Georgia

Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 40%

Photo courtesy of the University of Georgia
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8. N.C. State University

Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 47%

Photo courtesy of N.C. State University
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9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 60%

Photo courtesy of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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10. Purdue University

Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 69%

Photo by Tom Campbell, Purdue University

The comprehensive ranking compares the top agricultural science degree programs in the U.S. including animal sciences, horticulture, aquaculture, agronomy, crop science, and turf management. According to Niche, its rankings are based on rigorous data analysis harvested from the U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation. In addition, user input is factored into its algorithm. “By thoughtfully combining the most accurate facts with reviews from real students, Niche gives prospective college students the most transparent and complete view of the schools they are considering.”

What’s new for the 2024 ranking? Niche says it has further refined its methodology in response to rising tuition costs and concerns for return on investment. An Economic Mobility Index is now factored in to highlight the colleges whose students are able to improve their economic status after graduation.

Scroll through the photo gallery above to see the top 10 colleges that made Niche’s 2024 list.

Visit GrowingProduce.com for the expanded list.