Edited By Julian Palacio
Review & Contribution By Kevin Skipper
Grow your career from anywhere. Gain expertise in agricultural economics, management, and sustainability with a flexible Online Agribusiness Degree program.
Agricultural business deals with the study of farming and its related commercial activities. The agribusiness degree online program helps students gain a good foundation in agriculture and business and learn about topics like principles of management information systems, natural resources, regional economics, agricultural economics, and more. An online agribusiness degree prepares professionals for the challenging agricultural industry and gains expertise in business topics, including marketing, management, finance, production, information technology, and more. Some job roles undergraduates with this degree can pursue our farm manager, greenhouse manager, nursery manager, ranch manager, field operations farm manager, etc.
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Find the Best Online Agribusiness Programs
Selecting the best online universities for a Bachelor’s in Agribusiness entails considering factors like course offerings, duration, tuition, research areas, and job prospects. The FBD team’s evaluation of the Bachelor’s in Agribusiness programs methods includes assessing curriculum quality, knowledge acquisition, expenses, and specialization alignment. Online programs cater to students’ needs for flexibility in learning. Top institutions offer customizable courses. Based on several critical components and our proprietary methodology, here is the list of the best online agribusiness bachelor’s programs
| Univ | Address | Tuition | Grad Rate |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 2101 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695 | $8,895 | 85% |
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
What to Expect from an Online Degree in Agribusiness
An ag business degree online degree prepares students for business and management roles within the changing agricultural domain. The Agricultural Business program is around 120 credits and can be completed in 18 months to four years. Undergraduates can study the curriculum in online, offline, and hybrid learning modes. This program helps them study topics like agricultural marketing, economics applied to agriculture, emerging issues across industries, accounting, agricultural finance, etc. Most schools may require students to gain hands-on experience with a required internship or capstone. Some career options students graduating from the agricultural business bachelor’s program can look up include farm and ranch management, grain merchandising, extension service, USDA local program administration, and more.
Curriculum and Coursework
The online agribusiness degree programs are designed to provide an understanding of applying business and management principles to real-world challenges and opportunities in the life science and agriculture industries. The online bachelor’s in agriculture includes general education courses such as writing, world languages, speech, science, social, spiritual, arts, philosophical challenges, etc. Most schools offer various course options.
Business Communication
This course helps students understand the principles, skills, and communication contexts in organizational and business settings. It includes oral and written presentations to evaluate nonverbal and verbal communication competencies. Students gain learning of a framework of strategic communication for planning and implementing various presentational and interpersonal skills and principles, along with examining significant theories of managerial communication.
Introduction to Agribusiness
This course helps students learn the fundamentals of cultivating plants and livestock to provide facilities to humans. They understand the development of agriculture, enabling human civilization to proliferate and different products grouped into fibers, fuels, raw materials, etc. Students learn about various farming opportunities like dairy farming, grain farming, livestock ranching, mixed crop and livestock farming, and so on, and monetize it for industries.
Agricultural Marketing
This course on agricultural marketing helps students learn about services involving organizing, directing, planning, and handling agriculture and more than satisfying the farmers, consumers, and intermediaries. They also gain knowledge of marketing concepts, management, and techniques of the U.S. marketing systems from agribusiness, agricultural production, and traditional business components.
Agricultural Finance
Through the core of agricultural finance, students gain fundamental concepts for financial management decisions in farm or agricultural businesses. They emphasize financial statement analysis of efficiency, liquidity, profitability, risk, leverage, capital budgeting, repayment capacity, farmland bid price determination, and more. Issues in financial markets and credit organizations serving the agricultural sector are addressed.
- Principles of Economics
- Communication Ethics
- Business Ethics
- Emerging Issues in Ag and Natural Resources
- Farm Management
- Economics of the Food System,
- Agribusiness Problem-solving
- Food Product Marketing
- Strategic Decision-making in Agribusiness
- Supply Chain Management
- Basic Management Concepts
- Corporation Finance
- Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy
Read the guide to bachelor’s programs to get more information about agricultural business degrees.
Learning Outcomes and Skills Gained
The degree in agribusiness online takes an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to focus on business basics, such as finance and marketing, with a focus on the food and fiber industries. Students understand applying business and managerial principles to real-world challenges and opportunities in different agricultural sectors.
- demonstrate an understanding of how food production, marketing systems, and processing evolve and work;
- demonstrate quantitative problem-solving skills that can be applied to specific agribusiness management challenges;
- demonstrate the application of microeconomic principles in the domain of agriculture and food;
- demonstrate usage of technological, regulatory, legal, political, and ethical principles to encourage diversity environment of agribusiness;
- demonstrate knowledge of economic and psychological components of the food demand and marketing decisions in consumer-driven food systems;
- demonstrate practical utilization of market power shape strategies used for decision-making among agribusiness firms;
- demonstrate the determination of prices and forecasting how food and agriculture prices change as the underlying market conditions change;
- demonstrate understanding of macroeconomic policy and analysis of national income measurement, money and income, policy problems, and aggregate economic models;
- demonstrate knowledge of fundamental processes and principles available to understand agribusiness management.
Types of Degrees Agribusiness Students Can Obtain
There are two common types of online bachelor’s degree in agribusiness in the United States: The Bachelor of Arts or BA in Agribusiness and the Bachelor of Science or BS in Agribusiness. Students taking up these programs learn about farming and livestock, human nutrition and food production, and agriculture domains encompassing various careers globally.
Bachelor of Arts in Agribusiness
The Bachelor of Arts in Agribusiness focuses on the marketing, management, and financing of ag-related industries. Students gain valuable knowledge in agriculture and business, giving them many career options. Some topics covered in this degree are agricultural economics, natural resources, regional economics, management information systems principles, record analysis, firm finance, and so on.
Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
Through the Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, students learn to combine core business concepts with components of the agricultural field as they focus on commodity markets, manufacturing, production, overall food system, and distribution with this degree. It also prepares them for a successful business in food production, retailing, and wholesaling industries, agricultural supply logistics, and other domains.
Areas of Specialization for Agribusiness Students
Specializations in agribusiness offer focused expertise and tailored skills for specific career paths. These specializations enhance students’ marketability, enabling them to pursue diverse opportunities within the agricultural sector and address industry challenges with precision and proficiency.
Some specializations that students of an agribusiness online degree take up include
| Area of Specialization | Description | Career Options |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | This specialization helps students learn about broad components of agribusiness finance, including value chains in agriculture. Students gain knowledge of value chain finance that contributes to agricultural development. Additionally, they learn about government policies and services addressing the financing needs of modern agri-food systems, among other relevant topics. | Various roles in agricultural finance, merchandising, and farm operations domains. |
| Management | This specialization helps students understand the supervision and implementation of various activities like farms, greenhouses, nurseries, and other agricultural production sites. Students also learn about running agricultural farms and other facilities needed to produce crops. | Various roles as agricultural managers, farm products purchasing agents, and more. |
| Marketing | In the Agribusiness marketing concentration, students learn how to develop services involved in transferring agricultural produce from the farm to consumers. Through coursework focusing on market research, branding, and distribution strategies, students learn to navigate the unique challenges of agricultural marketing, preparing them for successful careers in the industry. | Various roles as an environmental scientist, grain elevator operator, warehouse manager, and more. |
| Policy or Trade | This specialization helps students understand the various laws, measures, and instruments related to domestic farm trade and sector in agricultural products. They also learn about multiple issues, including providing sufficient food at market price for consumers, improving environmental quality, and securing food safety. | Various roles include agriculture specialist, crop manager, research scientist, etc. |
Full-Time and Part-Time Programs
The timeline of an online agribusiness bachelor’s degree depends on several components, including student status, whether students are taking on a full course load, and whether they have academic credits. A full-time candidate taking up this program takes around four or five years. There is yet to be a specified timeline for part-time applicants to complete the course load. However, the average timeline is about six years. Some other factors affecting how long students take to get a bachelor’s degree include high school credits, summer classes, dropping classes, community college credits, etc. Accelerated curriculums can be finished in two to three years by taking up a more significant number of courses in less time.
Accelerated Agribusiness Programs
Accelerated agribusiness programs can be ideal for those who want to finish their curriculum in an accelerated timeframe. These degrees are structured so students can take up more courses at a time; for example, some universities allow candidates to work through summer to take up more courseload. It also helps students prepare for careers like production supervisors, pricing analysts, and marketing coordinators, faster. Some accelerated online agribusiness degrees across schools in the United States include:
Requirements for Getting into an Online Agribusiness Degree Program
The Agricultural Business program is designed for those interested in agriculture-related fields like finance, economics, or marketing. Those who have an employment background in an agriculture-or business-focused career like production, farming, or facility operator, or have an associate degree in related domains or have finished their first two years of bachelor’s degree may have a better chance of being accepted into the bachelor’s degree of the agriculture business. Generally, most colleges accept students fulfilling standard online agribusiness degree admission requirements, including
- application fee and form
- High School Diploma or related GED scores
- Official college or university transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores stipulated by specific universities
- A Personal Statement
- Resume
- Two or three academic references from previously attended higher educational institutions.
- English proficiency Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL and International English Language Testing Systems or IELTS.
How to Ensure an Online Agribusiness Program Is Accredited
Accreditation ensures that educational institutions meet quality standards, benefiting students by ensuring the credibility and value of their degrees. In the USA, agribusiness programs are accredited by organizations like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)[3], ensuring rigorous standards and enhancing students’ career prospects and opportunities.
Universities can also be accredited nationally or by one of six regional accrediting agencies:
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Free Online Courses for Agribusiness Bachelor’s Students
Free online courses offer bachelor’s in agribusiness students opportunities to expand their knowledge beyond their curriculum. These courses cover diverse topics such as agricultural economics, marketing, and sustainable farming practices. They provide flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, enhancing students’ skills and preparing them for various roles within the agricultural industry.
Some free agribusiness courses that students with a bachelor’s in agriculture business can take up are
| Course | Provided by | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding Agribusiness, Value Chains, and Consumers in Global Food Systems[4] | edX | This free course helps students learn about the dynamic business of agriculture and food and explore consumers’ roles and value chain thinking systems in the rapidly evolving food systems. Students recognize the components of global food systems. |
| Sustainable Agricultural Land Management[5] | Coursera | This course helps learners cover urban water and agricultural quality issues. They understand how to evaluate BMP research and analyze the role of determining policies and practices protecting water quality. Students also take in-depth knowledge of nutrient fates and mass balance. |
| Agricultural Science – Gardening, Animal Farming and Aquaculture[6] | Alison | This free course offers a comprehensive insight into diverse agricultural domains. Participants acquire expertise in sustainable agriculture, urban horticulture, and efficient farm animal and aquaculture production systems, fostering skills crucial for advancing agricultural practices and addressing global food security challenges. |
Ways to Pay for an Online Agribusiness Degree
When funding an online bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, it’s important to consider tuition and course materials. Program costs vary, but online students save money on travel and accommodation. This affordability, along with possible financial aid and part-time job opportunities, makes pursuing an online bachelor’s in agribusiness a smart choice for many students.
Here are some ways to pay for a bachelor’s in agribusiness students:
Scholarships offer financial support for education based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria. They help students cover tuition, fees, and sometimes living expenses, reducing the financial burden of higher education. Scholarships can be awarded by universities, organizations, or government entities, providing opportunities for students to pursue their educational goals.
Grants for students provide financial assistance for education-related expenses, including tuition, books, and living costs. Available from government, private, and nonprofit organizations, grants are awarded based on factors such as financial need, academic achievement, or specific program criteria. They help students pursue their educational goals without accumulating debt.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships offer students financial support and valuable professional experience. Typically provided by universities, these positions involve assisting professors with research, teaching, or administrative tasks. Students receive a stipend and sometimes tuition remission or other benefits in exchange.
FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form completed annually by students seeking financial assistance for higher education. It determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs based on income and other factors.
Scholarships for Online Agribusiness Degree Students
Scholarships for bachelor’s in agribusiness provide financial aid to students pursuing studies in agricultural economics, management, and related fields, helping cover tuition and expenses associated with undergraduate education in this discipline. Students can pursue the following online agribusiness degree scholarships.
| Scholarship | Description | Award/Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Scholarship[7] | Applicants pursuing this scholarship should be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate horticulture, landscape, or related program or domain at a two or four-year organization. Students must have a minimum of 2.25 grade point average. | $2,000 | June every year |
| Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship[8] | The Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship, established by MANTS in 2002, honors Mr. Akehurst’s legacy in horticulture. It supports Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia students pursuing landscape/horticulture degrees, emphasizing academic achievement and industry commitment. Recipients receive aid towards their education, fostering the future of the profession. | $3500 | June every year |
| PepsiCo Internship and Scholarship[9] | This scholarship is awarded to candidates in this bachelor, completing their junior year of studies. Applicants must possess food science basics and be interested in product and food development. Adwardees also gain an internship opportunity at U.S. PepsiCo R&D facilities. | $1,500 | Varies |
Career Opportunities and Salaries After Graduating
The agricultural business domain helps students work to grow and access food and allows farmers access to tools needed to help food operations thrive and grow. Professionals in this field can apply their agribusiness knowledge to advance and support the agriculture industry. Students with an online agribusiness degree can work in many areas, including
- Animal Health
- Animal Nutrition
- Laboratory
- Animal health pharmaceutical
- Food safety
- Sales and marketing
- Quality control
- Production
- Product development
Some occupations of agricultural business that students can pursue are highlighted below.
| Occupation | Skills Required | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (up to 2032) | Job Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Workers[10] | Dexterity, listening, mechanical, physical stamina, and physical strength skills. | $33,290 | -2% (Decline) | Agricultural workers typically tend livestock or maintain crops. They also perform physical labor and operate different machinery under the supervision of ranchers, farmers, and other agricultural managers. These professionals also irrigate farm soil and maintain pipes, ditches, and pumps. |
| Forest and Conservation Workers[11] | Communication, decision-making, detail-oriented, listening, and physical stamina skills. | $32,270 | -9% (Decline) | Forest and conservation workers typically improve the quality of rangelands, forests, and wetlands. They also plant seedlings to reforest, clear brush and debris from trails, and count and measure trees during efforts of tree-measuring. |
| Conservation Scientists and Foresters[12] | Analytical, communication, critical thinking, management, and physical stamina. | $64,420 | 4% (as fast as average) | Conservation scientists and foresters oversee forestry activities to ensure compliance with government protection and regulations of habitats. They also negotiate conditions and terms for land use or forest harvesting contracts. |
| Agricultural and Food Scientists[13] | Communication, critical thinking, data analysis, math, and observation skills. | $74,940 | 6% (faster than average) | Agricultural and food scientists find ways to improve the safety and efficiency of farm products and establishments. They conduct research and experiments to increase farm animals’ and field crops’ sustainability and productivity. |
Certifications and Licensing for Online Bachelor’s Students in Agribusiness
Certifications offer students specialized skills and recognition in their field. They enhance employability, career advancement, and earning potential. Additionally, certifications validate expertise, instill confidence in employers, and demonstrate commitment to professional development, ensuring students stand out in competitive job markets. Some professional certifications that students with an online degree in agribusiness can take up:
Agricultural Communications Specialist Certification[14]
Through this certification, candidates study developing and editing media broadcast and printed media materials, utilizing graphics and photography, writing media scripts and technical papers, and marketing and advertising. The certification helps them develop a job analysis and comprehensive needs assessments in agriculture.
This certification verifies that individuals can handle a farm according to the USDA organic regulations. Once certified, they can sell, represent, and label their products as organic. According to the USDA Organic Relations, candidates can recognize four categories of organic products: crops, processed products, wild crops, and livestock.
Certificate in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship[16]
This certification is designed for individuals who want to become aspiring entrepreneurs in the Agribusiness and food sectors and develop their businesses. It challenges them to think deeper about achieving their business goals and becoming aspiring entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and scale-up businesses.
Additional Resources for Bachelor’s Students in Agribusiness Degree
Additional resources for agribusiness students include internships, industry conferences, and mentorship programs. These opportunities provide hands-on experience, networking, and guidance from seasoned professionals, enhancing practical skills and industry knowledge. They bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, preparing students for successful careers in agribusiness.
Some organizations with bachelor’s degrees in agribusiness online can look to include
| Title/Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| American Farm Bureau Federation | The American Farm Bureau Federation is an organization that shapes legislation to benefit large-scale farmers more than smaller ones. It advocates for policies benefiting for-profit activities like federal subsidies for crop insurance that affiliate organizations sell. |
| Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | The Food and Agriculture Organization is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, leading to international efforts in dealing with hunger. They aim to provide food security for everyone and have members in 130 countries. |
| Ecological Farming Association | The Ecological Farming Association facilitates an exchange of resources and in-depth knowledge among its diverse stakeholders and leadership at the grassroots level to advance environmental farming and food systems. It also annually holds one of the oldest and largest organic farming conferences and other agribusiness events. |
| The Land Institute | The Land Institute is a science-backed research organization aiming to develop an alternative to destructive agricultural practices. They want to grow food in collaboration with nature by planting perennial grains in mixtures that can protect and build soil. |
FAQs About Online Agribusiness Degree Programs
What is agribusiness?
Agricultural business or agribusiness includes the study of manufacturing and distribution of farm supplies and equipment and storing, distributing, and processing farm products. Students learn about agricultural forecasting, regulation, and marketing. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness is ideal for those interested in understanding farm operations, optimizing efficiency, and navigating agricultural markets.
Can you get an online agribusiness degree?
What can you do with an online agribusiness degree?
Is there a difference between agriculture and agribusiness?
Who should apply to an agribusiness bachelor’s program?
Is an online degree in agribusiness worth it?
Is an online agribusiness bachelor enough to assume professional roles in this field?
Citations:
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Understanding Agribusiness, Value Chains, and Consumers in Global Food Systems-edX
Sustainable Agricultural Land Management-Coursera
Agricultural Science – Gardening, Animal Farming, and Aquaculture- Alison
Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Scholarship
Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship
PepsiCo Internship and Scholarship
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Agricultural Workers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Forest and Conservation Workers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Conservation Scientists and Foresters
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Agricultural and Food Scientists