Agricultural Public Services at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 suggests manageable financing for a specialized agricultural services degree, though the complete picture here relies heavily on estimates from peer programs nationwide. With only 37 schools nationally offering bachelor's degrees in agricultural public services, and small graduating cohorts at most institutions (including ABAC), the Department of Education suppresses actual outcomes data to protect student privacy. The $43,778 first-year earnings and $19,500 debt figures come from similar programs across the country, not from tracking ABAC's own graduates.

What this likely means practically: agricultural public services careers—which span extension work, agricultural policy, rural development, and program management—typically offer stable public sector employment rather than high starting salaries. A debt load under $20,000 represents roughly half a year's earnings based on comparable programs, which most graduates could realistically pay down within standard repayment windows. Georgia's agricultural economy is substantial, potentially offering local opportunities that wouldn't require relocation.

The limitation is that you're making this investment without knowing how ABAC's specific curriculum, network, and career services translate into outcomes for its graduates. If your student has clear interest in agricultural policy or extension work and values staying in Georgia's agricultural sector, the estimated debt burden doesn't look prohibitive. But confirm what specific career paths recent graduates have actually taken and whether the school's connections align with your student's goals before committing.