How the Best U.S. Colleges in Ag Sciences Rank for 2026
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, just updated its stats and compiled a list it calls the “2026 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America.”
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- 1 of 25
1. Cornell University
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 8%
- 2 of 25
2. Texas A&M University
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 63%
- 3 of 25
3. University of Florida
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 24%
- 4 of 25
4. University of Illinois — Urbana Champaign
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 44%
- 5 of 25
5. Kansas State University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 79%
- 6 of 25
6. North Carolina State University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 40%
- 7 of 25
7. UC Davis
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 42%
- 8 of 25
8. Oklahoma State University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 71%
- 9 of 25
9. University of Georiga
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 37%
- 10 of 25
10. Purdue University
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 50%
- 11 of 25
11. Iowa State University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 89%
- 12 of 25
12. Texas Tech University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 71%
- 13 of 25
13. Virginia Tech University
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 57%
- 14 of 25
14. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 30%
- 15 of 25
15. University of Idaho
Overall grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 79%
- 16 of 25
16. Clemson University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 38%
- 17 of 25
17. Auburn University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 50%
- 18 of 25
18. Michigan State University
Overall grade: A
Acceptance rate: 84%
- 19 of 25
19. Ohio State University
Overall grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 5`%
- 20 of 25
20. Unity Environmental University
Overall grade: C+
Acceptance rate: 82%
- 21 of 25
21. University of Minnesota — Crookston
Overall grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 59%
- 22 of 25
22. University of Arkansas
Overall grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 72%
- 23 of 25
23. Colorado State University
Overall grade: B+
Acceptance rate: 91%
- 24 of 25
24. Oregon State University
Overall grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 79%
- 25 of 25
25. Washington State University
Overall grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 85%
View all
1. Cornell University
2. Texas A&M University
3. University of Florida
4. University of Illinois — Urbana Champaign
5. Kansas State University
6. North Carolina State University
7. UC Davis
8. Oklahoma State University
9. University of Georiga
10. Purdue University
11. Iowa State University
12. Texas Tech University
13. Virginia Tech University
14. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
15. University of Idaho
16. Clemson University
17. Auburn University
18. Michigan State University
19. Ohio State University
20. Unity Environmental University
21. University of Minnesota — Crookston
22. University of Arkansas
23. Colorado State University
24. Oregon State University
25. Washington State 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, as well as millions of reviews from students and alumni.
Scroll through the photo gallery above to see the top 25 colleges that made Niche’s list of the “2026 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America” and click here to check out the methodology used and factors considered by Niche to compile its Top U.S. Colleges in Agricultural Sciences rankings.
Do you think your alma mater should be ranked higher? Submit a comment below!
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Paul Rusnak is Senior Online Editor for Greenhouse Grower and Growing Produce, another Meister Media Worldwide brand. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.