By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University’s agriculture and forestry programs continue to gain global recognition. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the programs rose to seventh place worldwide among 475 institutions.
Within the United States, Iowa State ranks fourth for agriculture and forestry education. This marks the thirteenth consecutive year the programs have remained in the top four percent globally.
The QS World University Rankings are widely used by students when choosing universities. Institutions are evaluated using several factors, including academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, impact of published work, and strength of international research networks. These measures reflect both teaching quality and real-world relevance.
Students in Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences see clear value in their education. The programs emphasize global exposure, practical learning, and strong professional networks.
These opportunities help students gain experience beyond the classroom and prepare for careers across the world.
“I never would have dreamed that this would be where I ended up,” said Alaina Gebel. “I’m so thankful for my professors who have been very encouraging and pushed me to take advantage of these opportunities.” Raised on a farm in rural Iowa, Gebel gained international experience through study programs and leadership roles that led to professional opportunities with global organizations.
Forestry students also benefit from hands-on learning. Chloe Bogosian explained how internships and field experiences strengthened their education. “It was an incredible experience to learn more about forestry practices on the East Coast beyond what I learned at camp,” Bogosian said. “I brought back so many valuable skills that have advanced my classroom knowledge.” These experiences helped build technical skills and industry confidence.
“Our program emphasizes learning about forestry practices beyond what we utilize in Iowa, which prepares our students for whatever may come their way, no matter where they land a job after graduation,” Bogosian said.
Iowa State’s strong rankings reflect a commitment to quality education, global engagement, and career readiness.
By combining research excellence with real world learning, the university prepares future leaders in agriculture and forestry to succeed in diverse environments and meet global challenges.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education