Agricultural Business and Management at Kirkwood Community College

Kirkwood's agricultural business program delivers a solid return, particularly given the modest debt load. Graduates earn $40,835 in their first year—about $3,400 more than the national median for this associate degree—while borrowing just $11,000. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of gross income, making this one of the more financially accessible pathways in agricultural business.

Within Iowa, the picture is more nuanced. Kirkwood sits right at the state median for earnings, and Hawkeye Community College's graduates earn about $6,600 more annually. Still, Kirkwood's lower debt (compared to the $12,000 national median) gives it an edge for students prioritizing quick debt payoff. For families in the Cedar Rapids area, the combination of reasonable tuition and immediate earning potential makes this a practical choice, especially for students looking to enter agribusiness quickly.

One important caveat: the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data. If your child is seriously considering this program, it's worth connecting with current students to understand whether typical graduates are entering farm management, agribusiness sales, or other roles—the career path matters as much as the starting salary.