Agricultural Business and Management at Arkansas State University-Beebe

An estimated $11,978 in debt against first-year earnings around $37,400 creates a manageable debt burden—similar programs nationally suggest graduates earn roughly three times what they borrow. That 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably within the range where monthly loan payments shouldn't dominate a household budget, though it's worth noting these figures come from peer programs nationally, not Arkansas State-Beebe's specific outcomes.

The challenge is that agricultural business careers in Arkansas may look different from the national picture these estimates reflect. With only five schools offering this associate's degree statewide, the Arkansas agricultural economy likely has its own employment patterns and salary norms that national medians can't capture. Rural ag businesses may pay differently than the aggregated data suggests, and local connections through this specific program could matter more than the numbers indicate.

For parents, the decision hinges on whether their student has clear pathways into Arkansas agriculture—family operations, established employer relationships, or specific career plans that make an associate's degree the right credential. The estimated debt level won't trap graduates, but without knowing how Arkansas State-Beebe's graduates actually fare in the regional ag economy, you're banking on the program's local reputation and your student's specific opportunities rather than proven earnings outcomes.