Agricultural Business and Management graduates earn $66,647 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,591 and $90,381. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Agricultural Business and Management 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 Business and Management is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $66,647 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 380 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 8,085 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$48,557
Median Earnings · 4yr
$66,647
Colleges Offering
380
Graduates / Year
8,085
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,452
How Much Do Agricultural Business and Management Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Agricultural Business and Management, a typical graduate earns $66,647, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $48,591 and $90,381, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $48,557 at one year out to $66,647 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$66,647
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$65,882
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Agricultural Business and Management graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, 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.
$48,59125th pct.
$66,647Median
$90,38175th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $66,647 against an estimated $69,808 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 137 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 8,085 students who complete Agricultural Business and Management programs each year, the majority (66%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
22%66%
Bachelor's66%
Associate's22%
Certificate7%
What Can You Do With an Agricultural Business and Management Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Agricultural Business and Management graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Economist pays the most at $124,720/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
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.
High school diploma or equivalent70,800 openings/yr7K employed nationally
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
High school diploma or equivalent127,400 openings/yr1.4M employed nationally
Social PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
Supervise the work of office, administrative, or customer service employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems.
Resolve customer complaints or answer customers' questions regarding policies and procedures.
Provide employees with guidance in handling difficult or complex problems or in resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
Some college, no degree39,700 openings/yr717K employed nationally
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingSocial Perceptiveness
Day-to-day responsibilities
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.
Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
Top Colleges for Agricultural Business and Management
Not sure where to study Agricultural Business and Management? 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 Agricultural Business and Management graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Agricultural Business and Management is not the only path through Agriculture: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Agricultural Business and Management program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Agricultural Business and Management Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Agricultural Business and Management shows 4 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $66,647 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $48,557 at graduation to $66,647 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 341,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $90,381, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Advanced degree often expectedTop 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 areas4 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Agricultural Business and Management Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Agricultural Business and Management graduates earn?
$66,647 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $48,591 and $90,381, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Agricultural Business and Management degree?
$48,557 in the first year out. That grows to $66,647 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 Business and Management degree?
Economist is one path, and it pays a median of $124,720 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 Business and Management program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Agricultural Business and Management bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Agricultural Business and Management?
380 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 Business and Management degree worth it?
$66,647 median earnings four years out against $17,452 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Agricultural Business and Management and Agriculture?
Agricultural Business and Management is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Agricultural Business and Management-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 Business and Management graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Agricultural Business and Management 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.
Is graduate school worth it for Agricultural Business and Management graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $66,647, graduate study in Agricultural Business and Management tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Agricultural Business and Management graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average -0.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Economist is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.7%. 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.
Related Agriculture Programs
Other programs in Agriculture. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
Yes, most schools allow it, but the schedule math rarely works without either overlapping requirements or extra time. Here's when it actually fits in four years.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
