Are you thinking of a career in agriculture?
Agriculture is that field of study which meets technology, environmental science, and global sustainability at their junctions to form a very broad scope of study into some of the world's most pressing challenges.
With so many universities that have special programs and research in agricultural sciences, it can get quite confusing to know your best fits.
We have formulated a list of the top 10 best agriculture universities in the world to enable you to make an informed decision.
This guide details each institution's strengths, from historic roots down to degrees and courses offered in agricultural sciences. Be it in plant science, environment management, or agricultural technology, these universities demonstrate the very peak of academic excellence in this field.
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Table of Contents
- 10 Best agriculture universities in the world
- 1. Wageningen University & Research
- 2. University of California, Davis
- 3. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- 4. China Agricultural University
- 5. Cornell University
- 6. Purdue University
- 7. ETH Zurich
- 8. Ghent University
- 9. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- 10. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
- Related agriculture courses
- Frequently asked questions
- What different degrees can students pursue at Wageningen University & Research?
- What are the different research centres at the University of Copenhagen?
- When was the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences founded?
- Which country is best for a Master’s in agriculture?
- Which country is best for agriculture study?
- Which is the best university for MSc agriculture in Canada?
- Which is the best agriculture university in the world?
- Which is the No. 1 agriculture university in Asia?
- Which is the best university for MSc agriculture in the world?
- Where is Asia's biggest agricultural university?
- Can I study agriculture in the USA?
- Which are the top 10 agricultural universities in the USA?
- Is Agricultural courses available in University of York?
According to QS World University Rankings for Agriculture and Forestry 2025, the top 10 universities for studying agriculture and forestry are:
10 Best agriculture universities in the world
| QS Ranking | University | Country | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wageningen University & Research | Wageningen, Netherlands | 98 |
| 2 | University of California, Davis | Davis, United States | 91 |
| 3 | Swedish University of Agricultural Science | Uppsala, Sweden | 91 |
| 4 | China Agricultural University | Beijing, China (Mainland) | 85.9 |
| 5 | Cornell University | Ithaca, United States | 83.8 |
| 6 | Purdue University | West Lafayette, United States | 83.4 |
| 7 | ETH Zurich | Zürich, Switzerland | 82.1 |
| 8 | Ghent University | Ghent, Belgium | 82 |
| 9 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, United States | 82 |
| 10 | Norwegian University of Life Sciences | Ås, Norway | 79.8 |
Studying abroad can be an exciting option if one wants to pursue a career in agriculture. However, with so many institutions around the world offering degrees in this discipline, it might prove to be a tough decision on which one is best suited for you.
Here's a list of the top 10 agriculture universities in the world that'll help make things much easier:
This is an overview of each institution that excels in agricultural sciences—a little about their history, location, degree offered, and subjects taught:
1. Wageningen University & Research
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1918 |
| Location | Wageningen, Netherlands |
| College/Department | Wageningen University & Research |
| Research Focus | Sustainable agriculture, food security, plant sciences, animal sciences |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in International Land and Water Management, BSc in Plant Sciences |
| Graduate Programs | MSc in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, MSc in Plant Sciences |
| Courses Offered | Agricultural Economics, Crop Science, Soil Management, Plant Pathology, Animal Science, Agroecology |
2. University of California, Davis
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1908 |
| Location | Davis, California, USA |
| College/Department | College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences |
| Research Focus | Sustainable agriculture, plant science, food science, environmental management |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, BSc in Plant Sciences |
| Graduate Programs | MSc in International Agricultural Development, MSc in Plant Sciences, PhD in Agricultural Sciences |
| Courses Offered | Plant Pathology, Soil Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Crop Management, Food Science, Environmental Policy |
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3. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Location | Uppsala, Sweden |
| College/Department | Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences |
| Research Focus | Crop production, environmental science, forestry, sustainable agriculture |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Agricultural Science, BSc in Environmental Science, BSc in Forest Science |
| Graduate Programs | MSc in Agricultural Science, MSc in Environmental Science, MSc in Forest Science |
| Courses Offered | Crop Science, Forestry, Environmental Systems, Agroecology, Soil Management, Climate Change and Agriculture |
4. China Agricultural University
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1905 |
| Location | Beijing, China |
| College/Department | College of Agronomy |
| Research Focus | Crop genetics, soil health, pest management, agricultural engineering |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Agricultural Engineering, BSc in Horticulture, BSc in Crop Science |
| Graduate Programs | MS in Crop Science, PhD in Agricultural Sciences, MS in Soil Science |
| Courses Offered | Agronomy, Plant Protection, Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Management, Sustainable Agriculture |
5. Cornell University
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1865 |
| Location | Ithaca, New York, USA |
| College/Department | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
| Research Focus | Crop science, soil science, agricultural economics, sustainable farming practices |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Agriculture, BSc in Plant Science, BSc in Soil and Crop Sciences |
| Graduate Programs | MS in Soil and Crop Sciences, MS in Agricultural Economics, PhD in Plant Biology, PhD in Soil Science |
| Courses Offered | Plant Physiology, Soil Fertility, Agricultural Policy, Crop Production, Integrated Pest Management |
6. Purdue University
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1869 |
| Location | West Lafayette, Indiana, USA |
| College/Department | College of Agriculture |
| Research Focus | Agronomy, plant breeding, soil science, pest management |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Agronomy, BSc in Animal Sciences, BSc in Agricultural Engineering |
| Graduate Programs | MS in Plant Breeding, MS in Soil Science, PhD in Agronomy, PhD in Agricultural Economics |
| Courses Offered | Advanced Crop Production, Soil Conservation, Plant Genetics, Pest Management, Agricultural Economics |
7. ETH Zurich
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| University | ETH Zurich |
| Founded | 1855 |
| Location | Zurich, Switzerland |
| College/Department | Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS) |
| Research Focus | Sustainable agriculture, agroecology, crop science, environmental sciences |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Environmental Sciences |
| Graduate Programs | MSc in Agricultural Sciences |
| Courses Offered | Agroecology, Soil Protection, Crop Production, Food Systems |
8. Ghent University
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1817 |
| Location | Ghent, Belgium |
| College/Department | Faculty of Bioscience Engineering |
| Research Focus | Plant biology, soil science, agronomy, sustainable agricultural practices |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Bioscience Engineering, BSc in Environmental Science |
| Graduate Programs | MSc in Bioscience Engineering, MSc in Environmental Technology, PhD in Plant Science |
| Courses Offered | Soil and Water Management, Plant Genetics, Crop Production, Agricultural Biotechnology, Environmental Management |
9. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| University | UC Berkeley |
| Founded | 1868 |
| Location | Berkeley, California, USA |
| College/Department | College of Natural Resources (CNR) |
| Research Focus | Plant biology, climate-smart agriculture, food security, sustainable development |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Environmental Sciences, Nutritional Sciences |
| Graduate Programs | MSc/PhD in Agricultural & Resource Economics, ESPM |
| Courses Offered | Food Systems, Agricultural Economics, Plant Ecology, Climate & Agriculture |
10. Norwegian University of Life Sciences
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| University | NMBU (Norwegian University of Life Sciences) |
| Founded | 1859 |
| Location | Ås, Norway |
| College/Department | Faculty of Biosciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management |
| Research Focus | Sustainable farming, agroecology, animal science, food production |
| Undergraduate Programs | BSc in Plant Sciences, Animal Science |
| Graduate Programs | MSc in Agroecology, Animal Breeding, Plant Science |
| Courses Offered | Agroecology, Organic Agriculture, Livestock Systems, Food Chain Management |
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Time is running out! Secure your spot for the September intake—apply today!
Related agriculture courses
Frequently asked questions
What different degrees can students pursue at Wageningen University & Research?
At Wageningen University & Research, students can pursue various undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in agricultural sciences, including agronomy, forestry, horticulture, aquaculture, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, food science and technology, nutrition, soil science and animal science. The university also offers interdisciplinary courses and research programmes in sustainable development, animal health and welfare, forestry, environment and agricultural policy.
What are the different research centres at the University of Copenhagen?
The University of Copenhagen is home to several research centres, including the Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Center for Plant and Animal Health, the Center for Organic Agriculture, and the Center for Sustainable Aquaculture.
When was the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences founded?
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences was founded in 1977 and is the largest university in Sweden, with over 20,000 students and 900 faculty members.
Which country is best for a Master’s in agriculture?
The best country for a Master's in Agriculture will depend on individual preferences and career goals. However, countries with prominent agricultural programs like the United States, Germany, France, and Japan offer diverse specialisations, high-quality education, and valuable industry connections for aspiring agricultural professionals.
Which country is best for agriculture study?
Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands are renowned for their advanced agricultural programs and state-of-the-art facilities, making them popular choices among international students.
Which is the best university for MSc agriculture in Canada?
- University of British Columbia
- University of Guelph
- University of Saskatchewan
- Universite Laval
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
Which is the best agriculture university in the world?
The Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands is ranked the best agriculture university in the world.
Which is the No. 1 agriculture university in Asia?
The No. 1 agriculture university in Asia is generally considered to be the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, India.
IARI is highly regarded for its extensive research, education, and contributions to agriculture and related fields. It is often recognized as a leading institution in Asia for agricultural sciences.
Which is the best university for MSc agriculture in the world?
Universities like Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), University of California, Davis (USA), and University of Reading (UK) are known for their strong agricultural programs and international reputation.
Where is Asia's biggest agricultural university?
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University is a public agricultural university in Hisar, Haryana, India. It is the largest agricultural university in Asia.
The university covers 8,645 acres of land, with 7,219 acres at the main campus and 1,426 acres at other locations.
It is named after Chaudhary Charan Singh, India's fifth Prime Minister.
Can I study agriculture in the USA?
Yes, the top-notch universities in the USA offer a range of agricultural studies from traditional agronomy and animal sciences to emerging technologies like precision agriculture and biotechnology.
Which are the top 10 agricultural universities in the USA?
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Cornell University
- University of California Davis
- University of Florida
- Rutgers University New Brunswick
- Harvard University
- Purdue University West Lafayette Campus
- Michigan State University
- University of Wisconsin Madison
- Iowa State University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Is Agricultural courses available in University of York?
The University of York acceptance rate is 78% and offers agricultural courses. The university is known for its research-led teaching and is one of the Russell Group universities.
