Only 46 colleges in the country offer Agricultural Public, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $54,152.
This page covers Agricultural Public 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 Public is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $54,152 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 46 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 866 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
$43,778
Median Earnings · 4yr
$54,152
Colleges Offering
46
Graduates / Year
866
Avg Net Price / yr
$18,640
How Much Do Agricultural Public Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Agricultural Public, a typical graduate earns $54,152, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $40,418 and $73,302, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$54,152
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$52,403
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Agricultural Public 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.
$40,41825th pct.
$54,152Median
$73,30275th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $54,152 and an estimated $74,560 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.1 years.
Based on outcomes from 38 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 866 students who complete Agricultural Public programs each year, the majority (71%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
71%23%
Bachelor's71%
Master's23%
Doctorate2%
What Can You Do With an Agricultural Public Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Agricultural Public graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and News Reporter pays the most at $62,200/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.
Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
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.
MonitoringOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.
Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
Top Colleges for Agricultural Public
Not sure where to study Agricultural Public? 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 Public graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Agricultural Public 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 Public program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Agricultural Public shows 1 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 10,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $54,152 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
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 areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Agricultural Public Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Agricultural Public graduates earn?
$54,152 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $40,418 and $73,302, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Agricultural Public degree?
$43,778 in the first year out. That grows to $54,152 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 Public degree?
News Reporter is one path, and it pays a median of $62,200 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 Public program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Agricultural Public 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 Public?
46 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 Public degree worth it?
$54,152 median earnings four years out against $18,640 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Agricultural Public and Agriculture?
Agricultural Public is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Agricultural Public-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 Public graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Agricultural Public 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 Public graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average -1.7% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Audio and Video Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +3.9%. 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.
Related Agriculture Programs
Other programs in Agriculture. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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