College matters: Just ask teens

At a time when the value of higher education is widely debated, America's teens are delivering a clear verdict: college still matters. Facing challenges such as food security and climate change, young people say science, preparation and education matter more than ever. The University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) presents new national data from an Insights Survey.

For students and parents weighing the return on investment of college, the message is unmistakable: today’s teens see a degree not just as a credential, but as preparation for leadership, stability, and the chance to solve real-world challenges. 

"These findings reflect what we see every day with our students,” said Julie Grossman, associate dean of undergraduate programs for CFANS. “Young people see the connection between education and solving real-world challenges. This generation wants to contribute to solutions, and land-grant universities like the University of Minnesota exist to prepare them with the knowledge and experience to do exactly that."

That sense of purpose is something students themselves recognize. "I chose CFANS due to the prioritization of real-world learning and internship opportunities, plus a globally oriented education that prepares me for a career tackling complex issues,” said Jo Schirling, a plant science major and Native American environmental knowledge minor at the University of Minnesota CFANS.

“This application of skills gives me the experience necessary to be a competitive applicant for internship, research, and job opportunities both on and off campus."

That sense of purpose also shapes where students hope to work. Ninety-five percent say it is important to work for an organization that shares their personal values, highlighting how strongly this generation connects education, career and impact. For many students, that motivation is reinforced by hands-on learning and research experiences that translate classroom knowledge into practical skills.

Learning by doing: Preparing students for real careers 

Students say they want more than classroom theory — they want experience that leads to careers. In the national survey:

• 58 percent of teens say hands-on learning such as labs and applied research would influence their college choice.
• 56 percent cite internships or work experience.
• 55 percent prioritize learning focused on real-world problem solving.

That model is central to CFANS' approach, where students gain hands-on experience from the start — conducting research in labs and fields, completing internships with industry and conservation partners, and working with communities across Minnesota.

"Our students don’t just learn about global challenges — they graduate prepared to work on them,” Grossman said. “That kind of hands-on preparation is exactly what students, families, and employers are looking for." 

Employers across the food and agriculture sector say that preparation is precisely what today's workforce demands.

Companies across agriculture and food production need graduates who bring both scientific knowledge and practical experience to the job. Students who have completed internships, worked in research labs, and gained field experience arrive ready to contribute on day one.

—Dawn Wyse Pester, Director of Winfield United R&D at Land O’Lakes

32 percent interested in agriculture, food and natural resource careers 

Interest in careers tied to agriculture, food systems, sustainability, and natural resources is strong among U.S. teens. Thirty-two percent say they are most interested in careers in agriculture, food, sustainability, or natural resource sciences.

That interest aligns closely with the issues young people say concern them most:

• 89 percent are concerned about ensuring a nutritious, affordable and sustainable food supply.
• 88 percent are concerned about protecting natural resources.
• 74 percent are concerned about climate change.

Education leaders say the findings reflect a growing connection between students’ concerns about global challenges and the careers they are considering.

In Minnesota, a working group that includes the University of Minnesota CFANS, the University of Minnesota Crookston, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) is working to expand awareness of career pathways in agriculture, food, and natural resources.

"Students see the same challenges farmers and communities see — producing healthy food, protecting natural resources, and sustaining local economies,” said Sarah Dornink, MAELC executive director. “What’s encouraging is that many of them want careers where they can help solve those challenges."

Enrollment trends reflect student interest 

The national findings closely mirror enrollment trends at the University of Minnesota CFANS. Animal science, environmental sciences, policy and management, and fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology remain among CFANS' largest majors, while food science and nutrition and plant science continue to attract strong student interest. The forest and natural resource management program in CFANS has also maintained steady enrollment.

Together, programs tied to agriculture, environmental science, plant systems and natural resource stewardship represent a growing share of CFANS students. Many of these fields — including forest resources and fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology — prepare students to steward forests, freshwater systems and wildlife across Minnesota and beyond while meeting rising demand for careers connected to food systems, sustainability and resource management.

The University of Minnesota Crookston also plays an important role in preparing students for careers in agriculture and natural resources. Located in the Red River Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the United States, Crookston offers applied majors such as agronomy, animal science, agricultural business, horticulture, environmental sciences, and natural resources. The region’s strong agricultural economy — supported by crop production, agribusiness, and food systems across northwest Minnesota and eastern North Dakota — provides students with direct access to farms, agribusinesses and industry partners.

Students benefit from small class sizes and hands-on learning experiences that include field labs, internships and applied research opportunities. Experiential learning is central to the Crookston model, with every student participating in an internship or research project related to their major. Those experiences translate into strong career outcomes, with 90 percent of graduates employed in their field within one year of graduating, supporting the region’s agricultural and natural resource economy. 

The 2026 CFANS Insights Survey was conducted by Big Village using its CARAVAN® platform from February 10–16, 2026, among a national sample of 1,010 U.S. students ages 13–17. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.