What can you do with a Agricultural Business degree from Iowa State University?

First, some facts. Of the Agricultural Business graduates from Iowa State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Agricultural Business graduates from Iowa State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 9% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Agricultural Business graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Agricultural Business graduate from Iowa State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agricultural Business. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Farm Manager
Hertz Farm Management
May 2010 - Aug 2014
The position of Farm Manager at Hertz Farm Management directly applies agricultural business knowledge and skills acquired from the Bachelor's degree, as it involves managing farm operations and financial aspects.

Farm Manager
Summit Ag Management, LLC
Aug 2014 - Present
As a Farm Manager at Summit Ag Management, LLC, the job requires the substantial application of agricultural business principles and practices learned during the Bachelor's program, indicating a high degree of relevance.

ABOUT

Experienced Farm Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the farming industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Communication, Microsoft Excel, Customer Service, Farmland Values, and Crop Protection. Strong research professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agricultural Business and minor in Agronomy from Iowa State University.

What jobs can you get with a Agricultural Business degree from Iowa State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the types of jobs that people with a degree in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University have landed, a clear pattern emerges. Many graduates have pursued roles in farm management, which is super relevant to their studies. Positions like Farm Manager and Livestock/Row Crop Production Manager are prime examples where the skills picked up in their degree directly apply to daily operations in agriculture. There are also roles in agricultural sales and support, like Sales Support Specialist and Grain Origination Specialist, which show how graduates can work effectively in the business side of agriculture. This illustrates a strong connection between their education and their chosen careers, especially in positions that deal directly with agricultural products, services, or operations.

However, it’s not all connected to agricultural business. Some roles seem to drift away from the core focus of their degree. Jobs in financial analysis, banking, and even some sales roles don’t require a specialized understanding of agricultural systems, but rather rely on general business skills. For instance, positions like Assistant Bank Examiner or Credit Analyst, while they may use some business acumen, are more about finance than agriculture. So, while many graduates do find their way into relevant jobs, there's a noticeable chunk working in fields that don't fully embrace the agricultural business knowledge they worked hard to gain. Overall, it’s a mixed bag—lots of them are staying true to their roots in agriculture, but others are steering off into broader business territories where their degree doesn’t shine as bright.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Agricultural Business graduates (this is across all Agricultural Business graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Iowa State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Agricultural Business graduates from Iowa State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Iowa State University who studied Agricultural Business, it seems like they tend to land solid jobs related to agriculture right after graduation. Many graduates kick off their careers with roles that help them gain hands-on experience in areas such as farm management, sales support, and operations at various agricultural firms. For example, those who graduated around 2010 and 2011 took on farm management and sales support positions, which likely helped them build a strong foundation in the industry. By their mid-to-late twenties, many of them seem to follow a path that leans more towards management and specialized roles within agricultural companies, showcasing a trend towards growth and specialization.

Fast forward five to ten years post-graduation, and it’s clear that many are thriving in significant positions related to agricultural business. From farm managers and sales specialists to more technical roles in risk assessment or sustainability at well-known companies like Cargill, these graduates are often moving up the corporate ladder or transitioning into specialized roles. Some have even started their own ventures or taken on supervisory positions in logistics and agronomy. Overall, the data suggests that graduates from Iowa State University are finding meaningful and relevant careers in agricultural business, which is pretty impressive given that agriculture has many moving parts and requires a diverse skill set. So, if you’re considering this degree, it seems like it could open up a lot of opportunities for you down the line!

How hard is a Agricultural Business degree from Iowa State University?

Honestly, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business can be a bit of a mixed bag, but at Iowa State University, it's generally seen as manageable for most students. The curriculum combines business principles with agricultural concepts, so if you have a knack for numbers and a genuine interest in farming or food systems, you’ll probably find it pretty engaging. It’s definitely not a walk in the park—you’ll have your fair share of exams and group projects—but it’s not considered one of the toughest degrees out there. If you stay organized and keep on top of your assignments, you'll likely find it a balanced challenge that you can handle!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Business.

Do Agricultural Business graduates from Iowa State University tend to make good money?

From what I'm seeing, it looks like these Iowa State Ag Business grads have been doing pretty well for themselves financially. Many of them are landing solid positions that typically pay decent salaries, especially those working as farm managers, sales coordinators, and specialists at big companies like Cargill and the Federal Reserve. The progression in their careers, particularly the ones who started in entry-level positions and moved up to higher roles with more responsibility, generally suggests they're making good money as they gain experience. Plus, the variety of roles in agriculture, finance, and consulting indicates there are plenty of opportunities for growth and higher earnings in their field. So all in all, it seems like they're on the right track to making a decent living!

What buzzwords do Agricultural Business graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Business (this is across all Agricultural Business graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Iowa State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Agricultural Business?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Business (ordered by the average relevance score of their Agricultural Business graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Iowa State University 69 11