Agricultural Business and Management at Hawkeye Community College

Hawkeye's agricultural business program stands out with first-year earnings of $47,472—well above the $37,423 national median and ranking at the 95th percentile nationally for this credential. Based on comparable programs at similar institutions, graduates likely carry around $11,978 in debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25. That's significantly better than many two-year programs and suggests students can comfortably handle their loan payments while building financial stability.

The concerning element here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see income drop 11% between year one and year four, from $47,472 to $42,239. This isn't typical wage growth—it's wage decline. This could reflect the cyclical nature of agricultural employment, seasonal work patterns, or graduates moving between different types of agricultural roles. It's worth understanding whether this dip is temporary or signals a longer-term earnings ceiling in the field.

Despite the downward trend, even the year-four earnings keep pace with peer programs (the $40,835 median for Iowa ag business programs). For students committed to agricultural careers in Iowa, particularly those with family farm connections or clear pathways into ag businesses, the combination of strong starting pay and modest debt creates a solid foundation. Just recognize that unlike most programs where earnings grow over time, this field appears to plateau or even soften in the early career years.