1. Cornell
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 9%
Photo courtesy of Cornell University
2. University of Florida
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 30%
Photo courtesy of the University of Florida
3. Texas A&M
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 64%
Photo courtesy of Texas A&M University
4. UC Davis
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 49%
Photo courtesy of UC Davis
5. Oklahoma State University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 68%
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University
6. Kansas State University
Overall Niche grade: A-; Acceptance rate: 96%
Photo courtesy of Kansas State University
7. University of Georgia
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 40%
Photo courtesy of the University of Georgia
8. N.C. State University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 47%
Photo courtesy of N.C. State University
9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 60%
Photo courtesy of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
10. Purdue University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 69%
Photo courtesy of Purdue University
11. Virginia Tech
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 56%
Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech
12. Iowa State University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 91%
Photo courtesy of Iowa State University
13. Clemson University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 49%
Photo courtesy of Clemson University
14. Michigan State University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 83%
Photo courtesy of Michigan State University
15. Washington State University
Overall Niche grade: A-; Acceptance rate: 86%
Photo courtesy of Washington State University
16. Auburn University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 71%
Photo courtesy of Auburn University
17. University of Minnesota
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 73%
Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota
18. Colorado State University
Overall Niche grade: B+; Acceptance rate: 90%
Photo courtesy of Colorado State University
19. Texas Tech University
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 68%
Photo courtesy of Texas Tech University
20. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 60%
Photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin-Madison
21. Ohio State University
Overall Niche grade: A+; Acceptance rate: 57%
Photo courtesy of the Ohio State University
22. University of Idaho
Overall Niche grade: A-; Acceptance rate: 81%
Photo courtesy of University of Idaho
23. University of Arkansas
Overall Niche grade: A; Acceptance rate: 83%
Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas
24. Cal Polytechnic University
Overall Niche grade: A-; Acceptance rate: 33%
Photo courtesy of Cal Polytechnic University
25. Mississippi State University
Overall Niche grade: A-; Acceptance rate: 76%
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State University
Do you dig agricultural sciences? Many colleges in the U.S. are widely known for programs that cultivate careers in the field. Some higher education institutions though stand above the rest. Niche, a Pittsburgh, PA-based data science company that serves as a review and search platform for education, recently updated its stats and compiled a list it calls the “2024 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America.”
The comprehensive ranking compares the top agricultural science degree programs in the U.S. including animal sciences, horticulture, aquaculture, agronomy, crop science, and turf management. According to Niche, its rankings are based on rigorous data analysis harvested from the U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation. In addition, user input is factored into its algorithm. “By thoughtfully combining the most accurate facts with reviews from real students, Niche gives prospective college students the most transparent and complete view of the schools they are considering.”
What’s new for the 2024 ranking? Niche says it has further refined its methodology in response to rising tuition costs and concerns for return on investment. An Economic Mobility Index is now factored in to highlight the colleges whose students are able to improve their economic status after graduation.
Scroll through the photo gallery above to see the top 25 colleges that made Niche’s list of the 2024 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America.
Visit Niche.com for the ranking in full.
Do you think your alma mater should be ranked higher? Submit a comment below.