Agricultural Business and Management at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's Agricultural Business and Management bachelor's produces first-year earnings of $50,013—outpacing both the state median ($43,128) and national median ($48,338) for this degree. With debt estimated at $20,000 based on typical borrowing patterns across MTSU's programs, graduates face a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's roughly five months of gross pay to clear student loans, which puts this program in solid territory compared to many four-year degrees.

The significant concern is the earnings trajectory. While graduates start strong, median pay drops to $43,755 by year four—a 12% decline that's unusual for any bachelor's degree. This could reflect graduates transitioning to farm ownership with initially lower reported income, shifts to rural areas with different cost structures, or simply the volatility of agricultural markets. Whatever the cause, parents should understand this isn't the steady upward climb typical of most career paths.

For families considering this program, the early earnings advantage over Tennessee peers matters, but the downward trend demands explanation. If your child plans to return to a family farm or start an agricultural business, the initial salary dip may be temporary and not reflect long-term earning potential. If they're planning traditional employment in agribusiness, probe deeper into why pay decreases after the first year—career services should have answers about typical graduate paths.