Agriculture at Lincoln University

Based on peer programs in Missouri, agriculture graduates typically start around $38,000—just below the national median for the field. Lincoln University serves a student population where nearly half receive Pell grants, and the estimated debt load of $19,500 translates to a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's considerably better than many bachelor's programs, where debt often exceeds first-year income.

The challenge here is benchmarking without program-specific data. Missouri's ag programs show a wide spread, from mid-$30s to over $42,000 at Mizzou. Where Lincoln falls in that range depends heavily on factors the estimates can't capture—whether graduates pursue extension work, agribusiness roles, or farm management, and how effectively the program connects students to Missouri's agricultural employers. The state's median suggests modest but steady starting salaries, though nothing approaching top-tier outcomes.

For families weighing this investment, the reasonable debt level is encouraging, but the estimated earnings put graduates in a modest income bracket right out of school. If your student has strong connections to Missouri agriculture or a clear career path in the field, this could work—especially given the relatively low borrowing. But without concrete outcomes data for this specific program, you're making decisions based on what *similar* programs produce, not what Lincoln's agriculture graduates actually earn.