Agricultural Business and Management at Alcorn State University

Alcorn State's Agricultural Business and Management program starts graduates at $44,330—below both the national median and Mississippi State's $45,821, placing it 40th percentile among the state's limited options. But here's what matters more: debt loads are exceptionally low at $25,125, landing in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs burden students with more debt). For a school serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body, that financial accessibility is significant.

The earnings trajectory shows promise, with 20% growth to $53,012 by year four—outpacing the typical trajectory for ag business programs. That 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly half their first year's salary, a manageable threshold for entering a stable field. However, the very small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably with more data, and individual outcomes will vary more than at larger programs.

For families prioritizing affordability in Mississippi's agricultural sector, this program offers a path to industry credentials without crushing debt. The tradeoff is lower initial earnings than competitors, though the gap narrows over time. If your student is debt-averse and willing to start slightly behind peers in exchange for minimal borrowing, Alcorn State delivers on that value proposition—just recognize you're working with limited outcome data.