Colorado State University

What you'll study

This four‑year bachelor's degree blends business fundamentals with agricultural contexts. You will take courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics, accounting, finance, marketing, operations and supply‑chain management alongside agriculture‑focused subjects such as farm and ranch management, commodity marketing, agricultural policy, natural resource economics and production systems.

• Core business modules – financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, marketing principles, business law and quantitative methods for decision making.
• Agricultural economics and management – agricultural economics, farm management, commodity and futures markets, risk and price analysis, agricultural policy.
• Production and resource topics – crop and livestock production systems, soil and water resource management, sustainability and environmental economics.
• Practical and experiential learning – supervised internships with agribusinesses or farms, laboratory and farm‑based courses at CSU’s teaching and research facilities, and a senior capstone or practicum project applying business tools to an agricultural problem.
• Electives and concentrations – options to tailor the degree toward areas such as food and beverage management, international agribusiness, agricultural finance, or supply‑chain logistics.

Structure and assessment

The programme mixes lectures, case studies, fieldwork and team projects. Assessment typically includes exams, written reports, presentations and applied projects; experiential components may be assessed through internship reports or a capstone. General education requirements complement major studies to provide a broad liberal‑arts foundation.

Entry requirements

Admission to Colorado State University’s undergraduate programmes generally requires a secondary school diploma with college preparatory coursework. Applicants for Agricultural Business and Management should have completed high‑school mathematics (algebra and preferably precalculus), and science courses such as biology or chemistry are recommended.

• Academic record – a competitive high‑school GPA in college‑preparatory courses. Transfer applicants are considered with transferable college credit and a record of success at the college level.
• Standardised tests and supplements – CSU’s testing policies may vary; if you submit SAT/ACT scores they will be considered as part of a holistic review. Admissions may also consider personal statements, résumés and relevant extracurricular or work experience in agriculture.
• International applicants – required to demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or other institutional pathways, and to meet credential evaluation requirements for secondary education.
• Prerequisites and preparation – coursework in mathematics, basic economics or business, and science strengthens an application. Relevant extracurriculars such as FFA, 4‑H, agricultural clubs or farm work are advantageous.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of careers across production agriculture, agribusiness and the broader food system. The degree equips students with analytical, financial and management skills valued in industry and government.

• Farm, ranch or operations manager
• Agribusiness analyst, commodity marketing or sales representative
• Supply‑chain and logistics coordinator for food processors and distributors
• Agricultural lender, credit analyst or risk management specialist
• Extension specialist, consultant or policy analyst in government and NGOs
• Graduate study options including agricultural economics, business (MBA), law or specialised technical masters degrees

Why study at Colorado State University

Colorado State University offers this programme within a college that specialises in agriculture and life sciences, providing direct access to faculty with applied research experience and industry ties. Students benefit from on‑campus research and teaching farms and laboratory facilities where they can test ideas in real production settings.

• Strong emphasis on experiential learning through internships, practicum projects and applied capstones that connect students with regional and national agribusiness employers.
• Proximity to diverse agricultural systems—from irrigated plains to mountain‑rim production—gives practical exposure to a range of production and marketing environments.
• Active student organisations, career services and alumni networks that support job placements, professional development and connections within the agricultural sector.