Key Takeaways:
- Agricultural science and engineering fields are experiencing growth, with some areas expanding more rapidly due to increasing demand for high-quality food products.
- Despite lower growth rates, agriculture has a low unemployment rate and a promising job market, largely due to the fact that there are fewer graduates than available jobs.
- Graduates can pursue diverse roles in organic food production, crop management, and other related fields, although cost and regional demand should be taken into account.
In this guide, we explore the value of an agricultural degree, examining its return on investment (ROI), benefits, and the career opportunities it can provide in agriculture. From understanding the job market to finding affordable agriculture degree programs, we’ll help you determine whether pursuing this path aligns with your goals. If you’re considering the benefits of an agriculture degree, this guide will show how it can lead to meaningful careers and offer insights into its overall value.
What is the Job Outlook?
One of the first resources that you will use when you want to know if finding a job fresh out of school will be the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. You cannot assume that one summary will describe all jobs within the field, but comparing a few will give you a good idea of the outlook and projected growth. According to data collected by the BLS, demand for agricultural scientists is expected to increase by 9%, and demand for agricultural engineers is projected to rise by 5%. There are areas within the field, however, that will grow more quickly as demand for safe and high-quality crops, dairy, and livestock increases.
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What is the Unemployment Rate?
Since growth is much lower than the national average in all occupational areas, it may be surprising to learn that the unemployment rate in agriculture, forestry, and fishing is much lower than the national average. According to the workforce statistics, the unemployment rate is reported to be 7.6%.
Another interesting fact is that there will be only 53,500 graduates in the discipline, but more than 54,400 jobs will be available. Since the supply of graduates is less than the number of jobs available, it is promising that recent graduates can find work quickly after graduation, even though the number of jobs being created may not be exceptionally high. You must consider how much you value job security and quick job placement to place some value on this factor.
What Are Your Career Prospects with a Degree Majoring in Agriculture?
The areas of opportunity with this degree are plentiful. You may be able to work in organic food production, horticulture, crop production, and agricultural management. Some of the vast number of titles include plant geneticist, event planner, landscape designer, green consultant, irrigation system manager, project administrator, food processing engineer, air quality specialist, conservation specialist, floral designer, greenhouse production specialist, and more.
Like most degrees, it can cost you a pretty penny to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. To ensure that this is a field you would like to work in, compare the demand nationwide to determine if you prefer to live in a region that is hiring. Once you do this, compare the costs of the degree to the average salary in the occupation you want to pursue. Once you can see the big picture, you can place value on the agriculture degree on your own.
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