Agriculture at Dickinson State University

A $42,583 starting salary puts Dickinson State's agriculture program in the middle of North Dakota's range—well ahead of the national median for ag degrees but trailing North Dakota State's $55,828 by a significant margin. With an estimated debt load around $20,625 based on comparable programs at similar institutions, graduates would face monthly loan payments of roughly $230, manageable on a typical ag salary but worth comparing carefully against what the state's other option delivers.

The earnings picture tells an interesting story about location. Nationally, this program performs above average, landing in the 65th percentile. But within North Dakota—where agriculture is a major industry and tends to pay well—it sits at the 40th percentile. That gap suggests the program's value depends heavily on where graduates end up working. Those staying in-state might find themselves earning less than peers from the larger NDSU program, though the difference may narrow over time as careers develop.

For families considering this path, the practical question is whether the smaller campus environment and likely lower non-tuition costs at Dickinson justify accepting lower initial earnings than the state's flagship offers. The debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 is workable either way, but with only two agriculture programs in North Dakota, this choice matters. Request actual debt figures from the financial aid office, since our estimate is based on the institution's typical borrowing patterns, not agriculture students specifically.