Sometimes choosing a course to study in the university can be a little difficult. As obvious as it seems, most people shy away from courses related to agriculture.
Agricultural science can be said to be the theoretical and practical application of farming such as the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals.
In this post, I will talk about the best agricultural universities in California, and equally, outline some of the reasons why you should consider studying Agric related courses.
Reasons why you should Study Agricultural Science
Here are some of the reasons why choosing a career path in Agriculture is worth it:
Better job and career opportunities
There are unlimited career and job opportunities available in the agricultural sector.
This is because there are industries waiting to employ graduates who studied agriculture, also graduates can decide to be self-employed.
The scopes of job opportunities in the agric sector are broader than you ever imagine because the government of nations supports the studies.
You can decide to start your private firm or pursue higher studies that will qualify you for higher opportunities.
As an agricultural science graduate, you also stand the chance of getting a job in the banking sector or biotech industry.
Agric Science is a progressive path
Agricultural science is such that requires innovation, and this is one of the things you will gain from attending any of the agricultural universities in California.
They utilize most of the recent technological innovations, thereby making farming far less expensive than it used to be.
By choosing to study agric science, you become part of a field that is progressive and innovative in nature.
Agriculture is the future of the world
When it comes to growth projections, agriculture is considered to have the highest.
There has to be constant food production if not there might be famine.
Therefore the entire world depends on farmers who cultivate crops that are used in food production.
Agriculture, therefore, needs vibrant youths who will play major roles and as such students will be contributing their own quota to the betterment of humanity.
High demand for young graduates
Technology in recent years is advanced and that counters the idea that there is no more room for innovations and opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Technology in agriculture is highly advanced. A lot of farmers all over the world, use modern equipment in farming.
Young graduates are in high demand to carry out more agricultural research and handle this technological equipment which is geared towards improving and transforming livelihood and technology in the developing industry.
The role of agricultural science in economic development
the agricultural sector is estimated to have the highest potential of curbing poverty when compared to other sectors.
All nations of the world are now dependent on the agricultural sector like never before.
The GDP generated by the sector is also higher than in other sectors.
There are more opportunities for Agric business
Upon your graduation, you can decide to go into full-time agric business as the market conditions are favourable across the world.
Agricultural science is a kind, of course, that is easy to practice and apply compared to other courses. Read on to see the list of the best agricultural universities in California.
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List of Agricultural universities in California
Here is the list of the 10 best agricultural universities in California;
- University of California-Davis
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Humboldt State University
- University of California-Berkeley
- California State University-Fresno
- California State University-Chico
- Cabrillo College
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Moorpark College
- University of California-Santa Cruz
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University of California-Davis
Tuition: in-state tuition and fees are $14,654; out-of-state tuition and fees are $44,408.
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8678
The University of California Davis is one of the best agricultural universities in California. It is a public, land-grant university that was founded in 1959 after 50 years of operating solely as the main agricultural school in the UC system.
UC Davis has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 35,000 and is located just west of Sacramento in the suburban town of Davis.
The surrounding San Joaquin Valley is the agricultural epicentre of the United States, making Davis a prime location for studying farming techniques, crop genetics, and related fields.
UC Davis has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 and a graduation rate of 84.6%.
UC Davis consists of a Campus Core situated on the university quad, South Campus that’s home to the Mondavi Center and Arboretum Way, and West Campus that is reserved primarily for agricultural research and development.
The school offers over 80 graduate programs through internationally-renowned departments such as the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing and the UC Davis School of Medicine.
California residents should note that in-state students pay much lesser than what out-of-state students pay for tuition and fees.
UC Davis is known as a Public Ivy due to the extensive research programs that operate on-campus and at local facilities including the California Raptor Center, Crocker Nuclear Laboratory, and Bodega Marine Reserve.
UC Davis student government (ASUCD) is highly active and works to support student interests through the funding of programs like Picnic Day, KDVS Student Radio, and The Entertainment Council, which works to host live musicians and travelling acts annually.
It is one of the best agricultural universities in California with Notable alumni include chef and television personality Martin Yan, comedian Hasan Minhaj, and wrestler John Morrison.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Tuition: Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,658; out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,116.
1 Grand Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers 22 Agriculture Degree programs.
It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. It is considered one of the best agricultural universities in California.
In 2019, 893 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 867 Bachelor’s degrees, and 26 Master’s degrees.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution that was founded in 1901.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,447 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 6,000 acres.
It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo’s ranking in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, #2.
Humboldt State University
Tuition: in-state tuition and fees are $7,870; out-of-state tuition and fees are $16,124.
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521-8299
Humboldt State University offers 9 Agriculture Degree programs.
It’s a medium-sized, public, four-year university in a remote town.
In 2019, 205 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 205 Bachelor’s degrees.
Humboldt State University is a public institution that was founded in 1913.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,869 (fall 2020), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 144 acres.
It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Humboldt State University’s ranking in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, #30. It is therefore considered one of the top agricultural universities in California.
University of California-Berkeley
Tuition: Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,361; out-of-state tuition and fees are $44,115.
200 California Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
The University of California Berkeley or UC Berkeley is one of the best agricultural universities in California.
It is a public institution that was founded in 1868.
Located in Berkeley, California, this school was the first campus that was built in the University of California System.
They offer over 130 academic departments and 80 interdisciplinary research groups with the business school, computer engineering, and biological sciences programs ranking in the top nationally.
UC Berkeley has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 32,000 students that take classes according to a semester-based academic calendar.
Prospective students should note that California residents receive in-state tuition at a much lower rate than applicants from out-of-state.
UC Berkeley has a history of student-based political action and discussion and was the centre of the Free Speech Movement, which began in 1964 and fueled opposition to segregation and the Vietnam War.
The graduation rate at UC Berkeley is an impressive 91.9%, thanks in part to the student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1. This inarguably makes it one of the best agricultural universities in California.
California State University-Fresno
Tuition: Its in-state tuition and fees are $6,651; out-of-state tuition and fees are $12,789.
6500 Soquel Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
California State University-Fresno offers 11 Agriculture Degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large city.
In 2019, 372 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 367 Bachelor’s degrees, and 5 Master’s degrees.
California State University—Fresno is a public institution that was founded in 1911.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,611 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 363 acres.
It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
California State University—Fresno’s ranking in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #213, and therefore considered as one of the top agricultural universities in California.
California State University-Chico
First and Normal Sts
Chico, CA 95929-0150
Tuition: Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,776; out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,686.
California State University-Chico is one of the agricultural universities in California that offers 5 Agriculture Degree programs.
It’s a large, public, four-year university in a small city.
In 2019, 258 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 258 Bachelor’s degrees.
California State University-Chico is a public institution that was founded in 1887.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,676 (fall 2020), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 119 acres.
It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
California State University—Chico’s ranking in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, #39 and therefore can be considered as one of the best agricultural universities in California.
Cabrillo College
Tuition: in-state tuition and fees for 2018-2019 were $1,270, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $7,462. There are no application fees.
6500 Soquel Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
Cabrillo College offers 9 Agriculture Degree programs and has been listed as one of the best agricultural universities in California.
It’s a large, public, two-year college in a midsize suburb.
In 2019, 29 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 22 Certificates, and 7 Associate’s degrees.
Cabrillo College is a public institution in Aptos, California.
Its campus is located in a suburb with a total enrollment of 11,321.
The school utilizes a semester-based academic year.
The student-faculty ratio is 21-to-1.
The highest degree offered at Cabrillo College is an associate degree. The school has an open admissions policy.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Tuition: Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,438; out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,318.
3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona offers 7 Agriculture Degree programs.
It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb.
In 2019, 201 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 185 Bachelor’s degrees, and 16 Master’s degrees.
California State Polytechnic University—Pomona is a public institution that was founded in 1938.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,911 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,438 acres.
universities.com also listed them as one of the best agricultural universities in California.
It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
California State Polytechnic University—Pomona’s ranking in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, #14.
Moorpark College
Tuition: in-state tuition and fees for 2018-2019 were $1,388, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $7,050. There is no application fee
7075 Campus Rd
Moorpark, CA 93021-1695
Moorpark College offers 3 Agriculture Degree programs.
It’s a large, public, two-year college in a midsize suburb.
In 2019, 80 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 42 Certificates, and 38 Associate’s degrees.
It has a total enrollment of 14357.
The school utilizes a semester-based academic year.
The student-faculty ratio is 33-to-1.
The highest degree offered at Moorpark College is an associate degree. The school has an open admissions policy.
University of California-Santa Cruz
Tuition: Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,066; out-of-state tuition and fees are $43,820.
1156 High St
Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1011
University of California-Santa Cruz offers 2 Agriculture Degree programs. It’s a large, public, four-year university in a small city.
In 2019, 84 Agriculture students graduated with students earning 84 Bachelor’s degrees.
University of California—Santa Cruz is a public institution that was founded in 1965 and over the years have been considered as one of the top agricultural universities in California.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,207 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 2,000 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar.
The University of California—Santa Cruz’s ranking in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #103.
How much does Agricultural Universities in California Cost?
Below are some agricultural universities in California and the programs you can find there, together with their tuition.
| Institution | Program | Tuition |
| Peralta Community College District | Associate of Science in Arboriculture | $9,210 |
| Humbolt State University | 1)Bachelor of Science in Fisheries Biology 2)Bachelor of Science in Forestry | $17,362 |
| California State University, Fresno | 1)Agricultural Science M.S 2) B.S in Agricultural Education 3) B.S Animal Science 4) B.S Animal Science Production | 1) $17,527 2) $18, 469 3) $18, 469 4) $18, 469 |
| Butte College | 1) Associate of Science in Agriculture Business 2) Associate of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources 3) Associate of Science in Agriculture plant Transfer | ———– |
What can you do with a degree in Agriculture?
An Agriculture degree can lead to one of the following career paths:
- Farmer
- Farm or farming enterprise manager
- Agricultural consultant
- Rural practice surveyor
- Soil scientist/conservationist
- Animal nutritionist
- Crop production technician
- Health and regulatory inspector
- Agricultural sales & marketing
What is the criteria for studying an Agriculture qualification?
Students applying to study an Agriculture or Veterinary Medicine qualification should have one or a combination of local qualifications in biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, economics and business.
Practical experience in these areas through various voluntary positions would also strengthen your application.
You should always check the entry requirements for a course with the university themselves.
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In Conclusion:
The production of crops and produce like meat, fish, fruit and vegetables are vital to civilisation as without them we’d die. Just imagine the panic in a developed city if food supplies ran low – we sometimes see a hint of this when a natural disaster occurs and food supplies are depleted.
So you see, you cannot be disadvantaged by deciding to study Agricultural Science in any of the agricultural universities in California.