Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 puts this program in reasonable territory—comparable agricultural business programs nationally suggest graduates could clear their estimated $11,978 debt load within their first year if they're disciplined about it. That's manageable for an associate's degree, particularly in a field where hands-on skills and local connections often matter as much as credentials.
The challenge is that $37,423 in first-year earnings reflects a modest entry point, and agricultural business careers in Michigan can vary wildly depending on whether graduates move into farm management, agribusiness sales, or agricultural lending. Peer programs show some reaching $41,496 at the 75th percentile, but there's no visibility into whether Glen Oaks graduates consistently access those better-paying pathways or settle into lower-wage farm operations.
For parents, the key question is whether your child has a clear employment pathway—family farming operations, established relationships with local agribusinesses, or plans to transfer for a bachelor's degree. The estimated numbers suggest acceptable financial risk for a two-year program, but agricultural business degrees work best when students know exactly what they're preparing for, not as exploratory credentials.
Where Glen Oaks 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,128 | $37,423* | — | $11,978* | — | |
| $5,928 | $48,646* | $43,988 | $11,956* | 0.25 | |
| $6,308 | $47,472* | $42,239 | —* | — | |
| $3,540 | $42,642* | $40,002 | $10,748* | 0.25 | |
| $8,895 | $41,966* | $43,018 | $12,750* | 0.30 | |
| $6,718 | $41,340* | $44,958 | $12,000* | 0.29 | |
| National Median | — | $37,423* | — | $12,000* | 0.32 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with agricultural business and management graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Computer User Support Specialists
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
Farm and Home Management Educators
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 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 Glen Oaks Community College, approximately 26% 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.