Location: Cedar Rapids, IA•In-State Tuition: $5,980•Out-of-State Tuition: $7,968
2026 ROI Award Winner
#9 Agriculture
Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,392
95th percentile
60th percentile in Iowa
Median Debt
$10,000
14% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.24 ManageableSample: 37 graduates

Analysis

Kirkwood's agricultural program delivers exceptional value that flies under the radar. Graduates earn nearly $10,000 more than the typical associate's degree holder in this field nationwide, placing them in the 95th percentile. At just $10,000 in median debt—about one-quarter of first-year earnings—students face minimal financial burden while entering a field with steady income growth. Within four years, earnings climb to nearly $45,000, a solid trajectory for a two-year degree.

The state context reveals interesting nuances. While Kirkwood ranks at the 60th percentile within Iowa, that's actually a testament to the strength of Iowa's agricultural programs overall. The state median earnings match Kirkwood's exactly, suggesting this isn't underperformance but rather competitive parity in a state where ag education is taken seriously. For families considering agricultural careers, the choice matters less between Iowa schools than choosing this path at all—Iowa programs collectively outperform national counterparts by a significant margin.

For students planning to stay in the Midwest and work in production agriculture, this program offers immediate employment readiness with minimal debt. The combination of strong starting wages and low borrowing makes this one of the more financially sensible associate's degrees available.

Where Kirkwood Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all agricultural production operations associates's programs nationally

Kirkwood Community CollegeOther agricultural production operations programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Kirkwood Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Kirkwood Community College earns $42k — 95th percentile among agricultural production operations associates programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Kirkwood Community College$42,392$44,892+6%
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University$36,083$42,774+19%
Mitchell Technical College$40,871$42,129+3%
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute$33,940$38,910+15%
Ohio State University-Main Campus$33,940$38,910+15%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Agricultural Production Operations associates's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids$5,980$42,392$44,892$10,0000.24
Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell$7,524$40,871$42,129$12,0000.29
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg$15,478$36,083$42,774$11,0000.30
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh$8,895$35,198—$12,0000.34
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical InstituteWooster$9,310$33,940$38,910$12,0000.35
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus$12,859$33,940$38,910$12,0000.35
National Median—$33,940—$11,6290.34

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with agricultural production operations graduates

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:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Animal Scientists

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Conservation Scientists

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Range Managers

Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Park Naturalists

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Animal Breeders

Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring. May require knowledge of artificial insemination techniques and equipment use. May involve keeping records on heats, birth intervals, or pedigree.

$35,980/yrJobs growth:

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.

$35,980/yrJobs growth:

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 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 Kirkwood Community College, approximately 24% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.