Agribusiness

USU is the only university in the state that offers a degree in agribusiness. Agribusiness is concerned with the financing, marketing, and management of food production.

Agribusiness is an important field because ag-related industry, from farming and livestock to food production and human nutrition, encompasses a significant portion of careers worldwide. Additionally, the field of agriculture has historically differed from other business sectors in that government intervention in the form of taxes, trade barriers, etc., have always played a role in agricultural businesses. Therefore, students in the program study problems and issues unique to agribusiness industries.

Because students gain a solid foundation in business, they can work in the broad field of business, but their agricultural knowledge and qualifications allow them to specialize in agribusiness careers.

With a relatively small faculty, and a low student-to-teacher ratio, students are guaranteed individualized attention. Most of the faculty members in the College of Agriculture have national and international experience that helps them bring a global perspective to the class. Students have the opportunity to do research in labs and in the field.

Students can also earn a dual degree (meaning students graduate with two separate degrees) in agribusiness and agricultural systems technology. There is also a composite degree offered by the ASTE Department. The difference is that students in the dual major take higher-level math classes and theoretical economics classes.

Emphases:

• Agricultural Finance: Learn the differences between cash and accrual accounting, understand finance, risk and leveraging principles to prepare for a career in banking, ag credit or other financial positions.
• Agricultural Marketing: Become proficient at analyzing prices, forecasting, and managing market risk. Understand market segmentation and the difference between marketing commodities and selling products. Career opportunities with Agribusiness firms, market consulting firms and USDA agencies.
• Farm and Ranch Management: Gain skills in accounting, finance, management, marketing and risk analysis to be able to own or manage an agriculture production enterprise or firm. Supplement the applied economic training with additional College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences courses.
• International Agribusiness: Combine foreign language skills with business and agricultural knowledge in the only program of its kind in the state. Gain the leadership skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the global marketplace as you study the social, political, and cultural dimensions of business.

Bachelor Degree Minimum Requirements

Admission to USU is test optional for Spring 2022, Summer 2022, and Fall 2022. ACT/SAT test scores will still be considered if submitted.

• 2.8-4.0 GPA - Admitted in Good Standing
  • Students with less than a 2.8 high school GPA may still be admitted in good standing based upon the combination of their GPA and ACT/SAT score. See if you qualify.
• 2.79 GPA & below - Considered for Earned Admission path.

Associate Degree Minimum Requirements

Most USU Eastern and USU Blanding Associates Degrees and Certificates are open enrollment and do not require a minimum high school GPA or ACT/SAT score.

Recommended High School Prep Work

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Math (One class beyond math 3)
• 3.5 years of Social Science
• 3 years of Lab-Based Science (one each: biology, chemistry, and physics)
• 2 years of a world language (same language, taken progressively during grades 9-12)

With a degree in agribusiness, students can pursue the following careers:

• Commercial bank operations
• Commodities trader
• Food marketing and sales
• Agricultural input marketing and sales
• Insurance sales and adjusting
• Agribusiness manager
• Farm and ranch management
• Stock and commodity brokerage

Career Services provides counseling and information on hundreds of job and internship opportunities and even helps students apply and interview.