University of North Dakota

What you'll study

The degree blends foundational business disciplines with specialised agricultural topics. Core business modules typically include microeconomics, macroeconomics, financial accounting, managerial accounting, business law, marketing, and management principles. Agricultural-focused modules usually cover farm and agribusiness management, agricultural finance, commodity and futures markets, agricultural marketing, supply chain and logistics for food and fibre, agricultural policy and rural development, and risk management in agriculture.

Students also study quantitative and analytical subjects such as statistics, quantitative methods for business, and spreadsheet modelling for farm and business decision-making. Many programmes include a capstone or senior project that applies business concepts to a real agribusiness case, and opportunities for field-based learning such as farm visits, commodity market simulations, and supervised internships with producers, co-operatives, agribusiness firms or government agencies.

Elective options and interdisciplinary collaborations allow students to complement business studies with courses in environmental science, natural resource management, agricultural technology, GIS applications for agriculture, or entrepreneurship.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised secondary school diploma or equivalent. Typical prerequisites include college-preparatory mathematics (algebra and preferably precalculus) and courses in economics, business, or agricultural science where available.

Selection considers academic record, completed coursework, and any relevant experience such as employment on farms or in agribusiness. Standardised test requirements (SAT/ACT) may be optional or considered as part of the application depending on institutional policy; international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or equivalent qualifications.

Transfer students with previous college coursework in business, agriculture or economics are commonly accepted, and prior credits in financial accounting, microeconomics and college algebra/statistics may reduce time to degree. Specific minimum GPA expectations and documentation requirements are set by the University and should be checked on the programme webpages.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of roles across the agricultural and food sectors, including farm and ranch management, agribusiness management, commodity trading and price analysis, supply chain coordination, sales and marketing for seed, fertiliser and equipment firms, and financial services targeted to agricultural clients. Other pathways include risk management and insurance, agricultural lending and credit analysis, agribusiness consulting, and roles in food processing and distribution companies.

Many alumni also work for cooperatives, commodity brokers, government agencies or non-profit organisations focused on rural development and agricultural policy. The degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in agricultural economics, business, or natural resource management.

Why study at University of North Dakota

Studying at the University of North Dakota offers proximity to one of the productive agricultural regions of the Upper Midwest, which helps secure internships, employer partnerships and applied learning opportunities. The University combines small-class teaching in business fundamentals with faculty who have applied experience in agriculture and agribusiness.

Students benefit from career services and industry engagement across the region, hands-on learning through field visits and practicum placements, and interdisciplinary collaboration across relevant departments. The programme’s emphasis on practical skills—financial analysis for farms, commodity marketing, supply chain logistics and agribusiness entrepreneurship—prepares graduates for immediate employment in regional and national agricultural markets.

Those seeking a career at the interface of business and agriculture will find a curriculum designed to build technical competence, critical thinking and the professional networks needed to succeed in the evolving agricultural economy.