Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory graduates earn $49,880 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,412 and $62,656. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory 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.
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $49,880 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 55 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 486 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
$28,939
Median Earnings · 4yr
$49,880
Colleges Offering
55
Graduates / Year
486
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,672
How Much Do Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory, a typical graduate earns $49,880, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $36,412 and $62,656, 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 $28,939 at one year out to $49,880 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$49,880
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$47,620
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory 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.
$36,41225th pct.
$49,880Median
$62,65675th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $49,880 and an estimated $78,688 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 4.0 years.
Based on outcomes from 40 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 486 students who complete Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory programs each year, the majority (94%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
94%
Bachelor's94%
Associate's6%
What Can You Do With an Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Agricultural Technicians pay the most at $49,630/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.
Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
Top Colleges for Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory
Not sure where to study Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory? 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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory 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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $28,939 at graduation to $49,880 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +5.4% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $49,880 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.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($36,412) and 75th ($62,656) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
How much do Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory graduates earn?
$49,880 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $36,412 and $62,656, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory degree?
$28,939 in the first year out. That grows to $49,880 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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory degree?
Agricultural Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $49,630 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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory 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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory?
55 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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory degree worth it?
$49,880 median earnings four years out against $19,672 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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory and Agriculture?
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory is the narrower of the two: Agriculture covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory-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 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory 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.
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