Best Agriculture colleges in the U.S.

Those who come to Iowa State University to major in agricultural disciplines should think of themselves not only as students but also as active participants in the future of farming and related areas. The institution’s commitment to training tomorrow’s leaders is exemplified in a senior-level capstone course fondly known as Ag450 Farm. Students get to manage the operations of the university’s 1,400-acre farm complete with corn, soybeans and pigs—oh my! Talk about putting the problem solving, decision-making, and communication skills learned in class to use. As a land-grant institution, the university focuses much of its agricultural research efforts on advances that will help the people of Iowa. However, Iowa State is also quite active on the global level and encourages studying abroad. More than 400 students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) traveled last year, doing everything from studying soil and crops in Costa Rica to examining agricultural world markets in Spain. The combination of thorough classroom training and hands-on experience prepares Iowa State agricultural students for post-graduation success. Nearly 98 percent of CALS graduates reported they were working, continuing their education, or serving in the military within six months of receiving their diplomas. The annual Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall Career Day brings more than 250 employers directly to campus, making the event one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

Kansas State University may be known as “The Little Apple” because it is located in Manhattan, Kan., but for the roughly 2,680 undergrads and 350 graduate students enrolled in the College of Agriculture, the classic college town is a great place to learn about farm-related issues. Twelve percent of Kansas State’s graduating class in 2013 earned a degree in an agricultural discipline, making it the school’s second most popular area of study. Undergraduate majors include agribusiness, agricultural communications and journalism, agricultural economics, agricultural education, agricultural technology management, agronomy, animal sciences and industry, bakery science and management, feed science and management, food science and industry, general agriculture, horticulture, milling science and management, park management and conservation, pre-veterinary medicine, and wildlife and outdoor enterprise management. In 2008, Kansas State opened the Biosecurity Research Institute, a frontline offensive against pathogens in livestock, insects and plants that threaten food supplies and health. University, industry, and governmental scientists conduct research in the 113,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility.This gives students countless opportunities for hands-on experience. “K-State Ag” students, as they are called, also benefit from more than 30 agriculture-related student organizations and 20 competitive teams. From Collegiate Cattlewomen to the Poultry Judging Team, there’s an extracurricular activity to suit every interest.