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Agriculture · Agriculture Rank #40 of 47

Agricultureat Cornell University

Graduates earn $53,465/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national Agriculture average. Base-case 10-year earnings $524K; scenarios range from $484K to $527K depending on AI disruption.

Ithaca, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
22
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,465
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$524K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Cornell University

Cornell’s status as New York's land-grant university gives its agriculture programs a unique mission and deep regional connections. You aren't just studying theory; you're immersed in an ecosystem tied directly to the state's vibrant food and farming industries, from Finger Lakes wineries to dairy science innovators. This creates a powerful pipeline to careers in agribusiness, food tech, and environmental policy, with employers like the USDA, PepsiCo, and major ag-tech startups actively recruiting on campus. The program's true value lies in its flexibility—you can pivot from plant science research to a business role at a global food company.

To maximize this degree’s potential, don’t just focus on the core science. Actively seek out courses or a minor in applied economics, business, or data science to position yourself for the higher-paying management and technology tracks within the industry.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$484K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score22/100
Earnings Multiple1.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$527K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Agriculture graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$86,350/yr
High
2
Food scientists and technologists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$85,310/yr
Moderate
3
Animal scientists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$79,120/yr
High
4
Soil and plant scientists
+5.4% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$71,410/yr
Moderate
5
Agricultural technicians
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$46,790/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Agriculture

How Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
56
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
14.4x
ROI
Texas A & M University-College Station
TX · Public
50
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
ND · Public
45
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Texas Tech University
TX · Public
45
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
10.1x
ROI
Fort Hays State University
KS · Public
48
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
20.2x
ROI
Also at Cornell University

Other top programs at Cornell University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Agriculture offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Agriculture trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Agriculture at Cornell University

What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Agriculture at Cornell University?

At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Agriculture programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Agriculture at Cornell University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Agriculture at Cornell University?

The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,056. At a net cost of $129,348, the earnings multiple improves substantially.