Undergraduate: Prospective Students:

Why get a degree in Agricultural Economics?

A degree in Agricultural Economics prepares graduates for careers in business, sales, finance, marketing and management in the food and agricultural industry. The opportunities in this industry are phenomenal – see the facts below!

Nearly one in five jobs in the United States is connected with the food and agricultural industry.

There is a strong need for students with degrees in Agricultural Economics.

Less than three percent of these jobs are on-the-farm jobs.

The food and agricultural industry have a strong demand for non-farm jobs requiring skills in business, finance, sales, and marketing.

The food and agricultural industry contributes nearly one-fifth of the U.S. Gross National Product – America’s largest industry.

Graduates from Agricultural Economics programs are essential to the U.S. economy.

The food and agricultural industry is seeing increased globalization.

The food and agricultural industry need individuals well-trained in business to manage in a global system.

The U.S. food and agribusiness industry includes the following sectors – distribution, marketing, manufactured products, agricultural inputs, agricultural production, world markets, and services to these sectors.

There is a strong need for graduates of Agricultural Economics programs in various types of companies – food manufacturers, food retailers, advertising and marketing firms, agricultural suppliers, government agencies, financial institutions, etc. The opportunities are endless.

May 16, 2008

The materials for the Outlook 2008 extension presentation that occured on 3-31-08 are available.

Considering becoming an Agricultural Economics student? Please visit our Future Student pages.

USDA National Needs Fellowships In The Economics Of Alternative Energy are available. For more information, download the pdf.