Texas A&M University - College Station

What you'll study

The MS in Agricultural Economics combines core economic theory and quantitative methods with specialised topics relevant to agriculture, food systems and natural resources. Students typically follow either a thesis (research) option or a non-thesis (coursework) option; both emphasise applied econometrics, price and market analysis, and policy evaluation.

• Core subjects: microeconomic theory for agricultural decision-making, applied econometrics, quantitative methods and economic statistics.
• Applied modules: production and farm management economics, commodity marketing and price analysis, risk and insurance in agriculture, agricultural finance and farm credit.
• Policy and resource topics: agricultural and food policy analysis, international trade in agricultural commodities, natural resource and environmental economics, land use and water resource economics.
• Methods and tools: time series and panel data analysis, forecasting, optimisation techniques, programme evaluation methods, and use of statistical software (e.g. R, Stata, SAS, or Python).
• Research and practicum: thesis project for the research option; applied projects, internships or practicum courses are commonly available for the non-thesis option, often in collaboration with extension services or industry partners.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, typically in agricultural economics, economics, agricultural sciences, business, statistics, mathematics or a closely related discipline. Strong quantitative preparation—calculus, linear algebra, statistics and at least introductory economics—is important for success.

• Academic record: a solid undergraduate academic record with demonstrable quantitative coursework.
• Supporting documents: official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining research or career goals, and letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
• Standardised tests: check the department’s current guidance on GRE requirements; some applicants may be required or recommended to submit scores depending on background.
• International applicants: proof of English language proficiency (such as TOEFL or IELTS) unless exempt under university policy, plus any additional visa or credential requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MS in Agricultural Economics pursue careers across the public, private and non-profit sectors or continue into doctoral study. The blend of economics, policy and quantitative skills prepares students for roles that require economic analysis of agricultural and natural resource issues.

• Policy analyst or economist in government agencies and public institutions (e.g. agricultural departments, regulatory bodies).
• Analyst or manager in agribusiness firms, commodity trading, supply chain and risk management.
• Consultant in agricultural development, food systems, environmental economics or natural resource management for private consultancies and international organisations.
• Research economist or data analyst in think tanks, universities, research centres and extension services.
• Further academic study leading to a PhD in agricultural economics, applied economics or related fields.

Why study at Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas A&M’s Department of Agricultural Economics sits within a large land‑grant university with established strengths in agriculture, natural resources and applied economics. The programme benefits from strong links to AgriLife Research and extension networks, providing access to applied projects, policy engagement and regional agricultural systems.

• Faculty expertise: faculty conduct research across commodity markets, trade, environmental and resource economics, risk management and agricultural policy, offering supervision across a wide set of applied topics.
• Research infrastructure: students can draw on university research centres and facilities, multidisciplinary collaborations and extensive data resources relevant to food and agricultural systems.
• Practical opportunities: proximity to major agricultural industries and active extension programmes facilitates internships, practicum placements and partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders.
• Career network: an established alumni network and relationships with state and federal agencies, agribusiness firms and international organisations help with employment and professional development.