Question 1

What is the difference between Animal Sciences and Veterinary/Animal Health Technology?

Accepted Answer

Animal Sciences (CIP 01.0901) is a broad four-year science major covering genetics, nutrition, physiology, and production management for livestock; its 6,799 completions across 132 colleges make it the largest major in this family, and its primary career destination is Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers. Veterinary/Animal Health Technology (CIP 01.8301) is a more applied, often two-year program focused on clinical skills—assisting veterinarians, administering treatments, and running diagnostics. It is the most widely offered major in the entire concentration (219 colleges, 4,829 completions) and leads toward Veterinary Technologist and Technician roles rather than farm management.

Question 2

Which majors in this family are most common at the associate's level?

Accepted Answer

Veterinary/Animal Health Technology is the clearest associate's-degree concentration in this family, offered at 219 colleges with nearly 4,800 annual completions—community colleges and technical schools dominate that footprint. Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations (140 colleges, 809 completions), Landscaping and Groundskeeping (66 colleges, 351 completions), and Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture (68 colleges, 418 completions) also skew heavily toward two-year and vocational credentials. Students who want to enter the workforce in two years should focus on these programs rather than the four-year science or business tracks.

Question 3

What do graduates from this concentration typically earn?

Accepted Answer

The median earnings across all majors in this family average roughly $44,053. That figure masks real range: Agricultural Economics graduates (1,453 completions, 33 colleges) often land in Economist roles paying well above that median, while Landscaping and Groundskeeping graduates enter a field where typical wages are more modest. The highest-earning career associated with this family is General and Operations Manager at a median of $102,950, followed by First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers at $66,140. Students most likely to reach those figures are those who combine an agricultural science foundation with business and management coursework.

Question 4

How do I choose between Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations and Agricultural Business and Management?

Accepted Answer

Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations (CIP 01.0102) is the broader commercial track, offered at 186 colleges with 3,011 annual completions; it focuses on supply chains, commodity markets, and business operations tied directly to agricultural enterprises. Agricultural Business and Management (CIP 01.0101) is offered at 145 colleges with 1,697 completions and tends to sit inside agriculture college curricula with a tighter focus on farm-level financial management and production decision-making. Both lead primarily to Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers careers. If you see yourself running or consulting for large agribusinesses, lean toward Agribusiness; if your goal is managing a specific farm or ranch operation, Agricultural Business and Management may be the better fit.

Question 5

Is Pre-Veterinary Studies a degree I can get a job with, or is it only a stepping stone?

Accepted Answer

Pre-Veterinary Studies (CIP 01.1302) is almost entirely a stepping stone: 52 colleges offer it with 553 annual completions, but the data packet records no direct top career for it—because graduates are expected to continue into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or a related health sciences graduate program. Treating it as a terminal bachelor's is not recommended; the credential alone does not unlock veterinary licensure and carries limited standalone labor market value. Students who want a career-ready credential should consider Veterinary/Animal Health Technology instead, which leads directly to Veterinary Technologist and Technician roles.

Question 6

What are the most niche or specialized majors in this family, and who should consider them?

Accepted Answer

Several majors in this family serve highly specific industry segments: Viticulture and Enology (28 colleges, 188 completions) prepares students for wine production and vineyard management; Aquaculture (12 colleges, 59 completions) targets fish and shellfish farming; Brewing Science (8 colleges, 25 completions) trains food batchmakers for craft and industrial brewing; and Zymology/Fermentation Science (5 colleges, 10 completions) is the rarest credential in the family. These programs make sense only for students with a clear industry target—the small college footprints mean limited transfer options if your interest changes. Students still exploring the field should start with a broader major like Agriculture, General or Animal Sciences before committing to a narrow specialty.

Sorted by popularity

Animal Sciences, General

Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant

Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations

Agriculture, General

Agricultural Business and Management, General

Agricultural Economics

Food Science

Agronomy and Crop Science

Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General

Horticultural Science

Pre-Veterinary Studies

Plant Sciences, General

Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other

Equestrian/Equine Studies

Agricultural Communication/Journalism

Agricultural Production Operations, General

Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture

Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production

Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician

Landscaping and Groundskeeping

Crop Production

Agricultural Mechanization, General

Turf and Turfgrass Management

Animal Sciences, Other

Farm/Farm and Ranch Management

Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management

Veterinary Sciences/Veterinary Clinical Sciences, General

Soil Science and Agronomy, General

Viticulture and Enology

Agricultural and Extension Education Services

Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management

Agricultural/Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling

Animal Health

Dairy Science

Range Science and Management

Agricultural Power Machinery Operation

Poultry Science

Agricultural Business and Management, Other

Agricultural and Food Products Processing

Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other

Aquaculture

Agricultural Public Services, Other

Ornamental Horticulture

Animal Training

Greenhouse Operations and Management

Food Science and Technology, Other

Soil Sciences, Other

Plant Nursery Operations and Management

Brewing Science

Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians, Other

Food Technology and Processing

Agricultural Business Technology/Technician

International Agriculture

Agricultural Mechanization, Other

Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology

Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other

Soil Chemistry and Physics

Dairy Husbandry and Production

Urban and Community Horticulture

Dog/Pet/Animal Grooming

Zymology/Fermentation Science

Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs, Other

Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding

Floriculture/Floristry Operations and Management

Livestock Management

Veterinary Office Management/Administration

Agricultural Production Operations, Other

Animal Nutrition

Plant Sciences, Other

Common questions