Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services at Midway University

Midway University's Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services program shows one of the most unusual patterns you'll find: graduates earn well above the national median initially—92nd percentile among similar programs—yet their incomes drop 11% by year four, settling at just under $30,000. While the $27,000 debt load is exceptionally low (5th percentile nationally), this backward trajectory demands explanation before committing.

The small sample size here is critical context. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these figures might reflect a handful of individual career paths rather than a reliable pattern. Perhaps early graduates took veterinary assistant roles that maxed out quickly, or the data caught students during career transitions. In Kentucky's limited market for this degree—only two schools offer it—initial placement might depend heavily on a few local employers whose opportunities vary year to year.

For an accessible state school serving many Pell-eligible students, the low debt burden is genuinely valuable, and starting above $33,000 beats most agricultural service programs nationwide. But parents should treat these specific earnings figures as highly provisional due to sample size, and understand that agricultural service careers often trade income potential for lifestyle and passion. If your child is committed to working with animals, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt—just don't bank on that first-year salary holding steady.