TRADES Specialization

Agricultural and Domestic Animal

Most Agricultural and Domestic Animal programs take one to two years to complete. Graduates start earning $31,362 right after finishing, climbing to $40,334 four years out.

About Agricultural and Domestic Animal

This page covers Agricultural and Domestic Animal as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Agriculture and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Agricultural and Domestic Animal is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $40,334 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 75 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,217 students complete it each year. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$31,362
Median Earnings · 4yr
$40,334
Colleges Offering
75
Graduates / Year
1,217
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,413

How Much Do Agricultural and Domestic Animal Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Agricultural and Domestic Animal, a typical graduate earns $40,334, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $26,132 and $53,297, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$31,362
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$40,334
4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

$41,510
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Agricultural and Domestic Animal graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.


Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $40,334 and an estimated $77,652 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 7.5 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 29 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 1,217 students who complete Agricultural and Domestic Animal programs each year, the majority (37%) earn a certificate degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Certificate 37%
Bachelor's 36%
Associate's 22%

What Can You Do With an Agricultural and Domestic Animal Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Agricultural and Domestic Animal graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Agricultural Sciences Teachers pay the most at $98,700/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Agricultural Sciences Teachers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +2.9% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$98,700
$66K $127K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 800 openings/yr 9K employed nationally
Instructing Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
↘ -0.3% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$63,820
$50K $82K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 8,000 openings/yr 114K employed nationally
Learning Strategies Instructing Active Listening Reading Comprehension Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

  • Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress, provide feedback, and make suggestions for improvement.
  • Present lectures and conduct discussions to increase students' knowledge and competence using visual aids, such as graphs, charts, videotapes, and slides.
  • Supervise and monitor students' use of tools and equipment.

Top Colleges for Agricultural and Domestic Animal

Not sure where to study Agricultural and Domestic Animal? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO · Public 73 88.5% $21,279 $60,543
2 SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NY · Public 43 84% $18,701 $45,030
3 The University of Findlay Findlay, OH · Nonprofit 38 83.4% $27,221 $56,996
4 Midway University Midway, KY · Nonprofit 24 95.1% $29,579 $44,246
5 Alamance Community College Graham, NC · Public 23 Open $6,109 $34,241
6 Asbury University Wilmore, KY · Nonprofit 22 63.4% $21,401 $42,368
7 The University of Montana-Western Dillon, MT · Public 22 99.8% $16,558 $43,229
8 North Shore Community College Danvers, MA · Public 20 Open $9,000 $45,391
9 Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ · Nonprofit 19 83.1% $20,503 $53,726
10 Northeastern Junior College Sterling, CO · Public 18 Open $13,801 $39,893
11 SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, NY · Public 15 91.5% $15,939 $43,295
12 Highland Community College Freeport, IL · Public 12 Open $5,713 $37,928
13 West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX · Public 11 98.7% $19,487 $50,741
14 Black Hawk College Moline, IL · Public 11 Open $6,944 $37,253
15 William Woods University Fulton, MO · Nonprofit 11 71% $26,569 $42,401
16 Hocking College Nelsonville, OH · Public 10 Open $13,704 $37,791
17 Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI · Nonprofit 9 88.4% $31,027 $43,418
18 Rocky Mountain College Billings, MT · Nonprofit 9 69.6% $19,751 $49,036
19 Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA · Nonprofit 8 83% $49,430 $45,954
20 North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, ND · Public 8 95% $15,543 $62,203

Ranked by Agricultural and Domestic Animal graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Agricultural and Domestic Animal program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Agricultural and Domestic Animal Degree: Pros & Cons

Agricultural and Domestic Animal carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS
  • Flexible credential paths Programs are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
  • Below-average earnings Four-year median of $40,334 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
  • Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Agricultural and Domestic Animal Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Agricultural and Domestic Animal graduates earn?
$40,334 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $26,132 and $53,297, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Agricultural and Domestic Animal degree?
$31,362 in the first year out. That grows to $40,334 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Agricultural and Domestic Animal degree?
Agricultural Sciences Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $98,700 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Agricultural and Domestic Animal program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Agricultural and Domestic Animal certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Agricultural and Domestic Animal?
75 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Agricultural and Domestic Animal degree worth it?
$40,334 median earnings four years out against $19,413 a year in average net price. That is a slow payback, so cost matters more than usual here: a cheaper school changes the answer. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Agricultural and Domestic Animal and Agriculture?
Agricultural and Domestic Animal is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Agricultural and Domestic Animal-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Agricultural and Domestic Animal graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Agricultural and Domestic Animal graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
What is the job outlook for Agricultural and Domestic Animal graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +1.3% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Agricultural Sciences Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +2.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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