College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Agricultural Economics

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Agricultural Economics.

Entry Level Salary
$47,823
Median Salary
$94,391
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
34.9%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $3,775,640
Entry (Early)
$47,823
Median (Prime)
$94,391
High (Prime)
$100,000

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-25k
+360k
+405k
$25k / yr
-114k
+270k
+315k
$50k / yr
-204k
+180k
+225k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
25
$25k / yr
Never
30
29
$50k / yr
Never
36
34

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-105%
248%
290%
$50k / yr
-94%
83%
104%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate28.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

9.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$84,413
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,475|$87,980
openings
85,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.3%

Management occupations

4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$101,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Top executives

3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$37,756
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$225,100|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%

Financial managers

3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$117,988|$161,700
openings
74,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +14.8%

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing

2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$95,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$139,562|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%

Lawyers, judges, and related workers

2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$106,923|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%

Accountants and auditors

2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$61,354
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,158|$81,680
openings
124,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%

Credit counselors and loan officers

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$43,041
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$102,820|$69,040
openings
22,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.8%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,867
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,000|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%

Postsecondary teachers

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$27,012
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
agricultural business and management.Undergrad Certificate56$18,854 - $63,115
agricultural business and management.Associate's Degree153$32,027 - $64,688
agricultural business and management.Bachelor's Degree112$42,184 - $145,218
agricultural business and management.Master's Degree47$88,075 - $155,217
agricultural business and management.Doctoral Degree24Data N/A
agricultural business and management.Level 994Data N/A