Colorado State University

What you'll study

The programme emphasises rigorous training in microeconomic theory, econometrics and management principles as they apply to agricultural and food systems. Typical coursework includes advanced microeconomics, time-series and cross-section econometrics, production and operations economics, agricultural finance, commodity and food marketing, risk and farm management, natural resource and environmental economics, and policy analysis. Students also take specialised seminars and elective modules that reflect faculty research strengths, such as spatial economics, behavioural and experimental methods, bioeconomics, supply chain management, and quantitative methods for programme evaluation.

Programme structure normally combines an initial period of coursework and departmental seminars, qualifying or comprehensive examinations to demonstrate mastery of core areas, development and defence of a dissertation proposal, and completion of an original research dissertation. Students gain practical experience through teaching or research assistantships, collaborative projects with extension services or industry partners, and presentations at academic conferences.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master's degree or, in some cases, an outstanding bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, economics, business, management, or another quantitatively oriented subject. Strong preparation in microeconomic theory, statistics and econometrics is generally required. Typical application materials include official academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests unless exempt. Some applicants may be asked to submit scores from standardised tests (where required by the department) and to provide evidence of quantitative coursework or research experience. Admission is competitive and often linked to faculty availability and research fit.

Career prospects

Graduates from this PhD move into a range of research and leadership roles. Common career paths include tenure-track faculty positions in agricultural economics, resource economics and business schools; research economist or policy analyst roles in government agencies and international organisations; senior analyst or research roles in agribusiness firms, commodity trading and food processors; and consultancy positions addressing farm management, supply chain optimisation, market analysis and environmental policy.

Graduates are also well placed for roles in extension services, non-governmental organisations and think-tanks where applied economic analysis, programme evaluation and stakeholder engagement are important.

Why study at Colorado State University

Colorado State University houses its agricultural economics and related expertise within a college known for applied research in agriculture and natural resources, providing strong interdisciplinary collaboration across departments such as natural resource management, veterinary sciences and engineering. Students benefit from active research centres and extension programmes that facilitate field-based studies and real-world engagement with producers, agribusinesses and policy makers.

The university’s location in Fort Collins places students near diverse agricultural systems and a dynamic regional food economy, supporting applied projects and industry partnerships. Faculty strengths cover farm management, agribusiness strategy, econometrics, environmental and resource policy, and risk analysis, offering doctoral students a broad range of mentorship and funding opportunities through research and teaching assistantships.

Overall, the PhD programme at Colorado State University emphasises producing independent researchers who can address complex economic and managerial challenges in agriculture and food systems using state-of-the-art quantitative and applied methods.