With a degree in Agricultural Economics, you'll be prepared for careers at the crossroads of agriculture, commerce, public policy and more. Agricultural Economics enompasses marketing, management, leadership, problem-solving and more - all the skills needed for careers in agribusiness, food industries, international trade, credit/finance, farm management and more.
Agricultural Economics is much more than farm business. You’ll study the entire “farm-to-fork” food system, environmental and natural resource issues, local and international economic development, law, policy and more. To customize your degree, you’ll select one of these options:
Like much of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, you’ll see that faculty and staff in Agricultural Economics are open and accessible. With opportunities like education abroad, unique research projects, the Agribusiness Club, monthly corporate visits and more, you’ll find a program that’s committed to helping students push their potential.
To learn more about this program, campus life, and chat with an advisor, schedule a campus visit. Virtual visits may be necessary in some cases.
Thanks to agreements through the Academic Common Market, students from the following states can enroll in the Agricultural Economics program at in-state tuition rates:
For me, Ag Econ really transformed my life. The faculty and staff are really personal and sincere and care about their students. I found my passion through Ag Econ by studying abroad due to the exposure of opportunities that became available to me.
Alumni
source: myUK: GPS
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of awards from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE). With one of the largest college-based scholarship programs, we have awarded more than $3 million over the past four years. These awards are based on a variety of criteria such as hometown, major, career goals, high school extracurriculars, and more.
For CAFE first-semester freshmen, the application opens on September 30, and the deadline will be Monday, January 22, 2022.
For CAFE transfer students and current students, the scholarship application opens January 3, and the deadline will be Monday, March 22, 2022.
Named after UK's first female graduate, Belle C. Gunn, this first-year program is open to all University of Kentucky freshmen. We seek students who, like Gunn, have passion and determination. Through field trips, professional development workshops, and service programs, we apply student passions to global issues at the intersection of food, economics, and environment. All students in this program will also enroll in connected courses, share study groups, and have an assigned peer mentor - all to help with the transition to college life.
While all students will enjoy the same benefits, some events and projects will be geared toward students' preferences and career goals. Depending on interests, each student will join one of the following tracks:
All students participating in our living learning program will live in Woodland Glen IV, one of UK's newest residence halls. To apply, select the "Belle C. Gunn First Year Program" while completing the housing application. For more information, visit our college website.
Should you choose, you can gain international experience while earning credit towards your Ag Economics degree. We offer a variety of study, research, intern, and service abroad programs for all budgets and comfort levels. Some students have even earned grants and scholarships to fully fund their international experiences.
These programs are designed to broaden your mind and introduce you to unfamiliar ways of thinking and living. Ultimately, these experiences will make you a more competitive applicant in the global workforce.
Each year, many of our graduates attend professional schools in areas such as veterinary medicine, law, pharmacy, dentistry, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a similar path, we offer pre-professional advising services.
Our pre-professional advisors will assist you with:
Students can join organizations and clubs to learn outside the classroom, gain valuable work experience and develop their leadership skills. Many of our Agriculture Economics students are involved in:
AgriBusiness Club
Explore agribusiness and interact with industry professionals to improve understanding of business in agriculture
Academic Quiz Bowl Team
Test your agribusiness knowledge jeopardy style as you travel and compete nationally
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$65,810
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
738,100
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
130,300
new jobs (average)
Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$126,930
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
813,900
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
32,300
new jobs (average)
Loan officers evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$63,960
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
316,900
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
10,100
new jobs (average)
College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
N6 Agricultural Science Center
859-257-3469
