Agricultural Business and Management (Associate's Degree) at Dawson Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,423

Est. from national median (16 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,978

Est. from national median (10 programs)

Analysis

An estimated debt load of around $12,000 for an agricultural business associate's degree represents a manageable starting point, particularly when paired with first-year earnings that similar programs nationally place near $37,400. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 suggests graduates from comparable programs can typically pay off their loans within a reasonable timeframe, even in agriculture's often seasonal cash-flow reality. For students planning to return to family operations or work in Montana's agricultural sector, this credential offers practical business training without the financial burden of a four-year degree.

The challenge is that these figures come entirely from peer programs nationally—Dawson's small graduate numbers mean the Department of Education can't publish actual outcomes. Montana has only three schools offering this associate's degree, and none have reported data, making it difficult to gauge how this program performs specifically in the state's agricultural economy. National benchmarks provide a directional sense, but local job markets and connections matter enormously in agriculture, where knowing the right people and understanding regional operations can be as valuable as the credential itself.

For families committed to Montana agriculture, the relatively low estimated debt makes this a defensible choice, but connect directly with Dawson's program about job placement rates and where recent graduates actually end up working. The numbers suggest reasonable value based on similar programs elsewhere, but you're betting on Dawson delivering comparable outcomes without the data to confirm it.

Where Dawson Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all agricultural business and management associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Agricultural Business and Management associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Dawson Community CollegeGlendive	$4,485	$37,423*	—	$11,978*	—
North Dakota State College of ScienceWahpeton	$5,928	$48,646*	$43,988	$11,956*	0.25
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo	$6,308	$47,472*	$42,239	—*	—
Southeast Community College AreaLincoln	$3,540	$42,642*	$40,002	$10,748*	0.25
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh	$8,895	$41,966*	$43,018	$12,750*	0.30
Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown	$6,718	$41,340*	$44,958	$12,000*	0.29
National Median	—	$37,423*	—	$12,000*	0.32

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with agricultural business and management graduates

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

$87,980/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

Computer User Support Specialists

Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

$61,550/yrJobs growth:

Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts.

Farm and Home Management Educators

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.

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Dawson Community College, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 16 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.