Analysis
Mississippi State's agricultural production program shows a financially manageable path, though the numbers come from comparable programs nationally rather than this specific cohort. Based on peer agricultural production bachelor's programs, students typically start around $38,000 and climb to $47,000 by year four—modest but steady growth in a field where hands-on expertise and relationships often matter more than flashy starting salaries. The estimated $22,000 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year income, which falls comfortably within conventional lending wisdom.
What makes this program harder to assess is the limited data landscape: Mississippi State is the only school in the state offering this bachelor's degree, and too few graduates report outcomes for the Department of Education to publish program-specific figures. The four-year earnings of $47,000 are actual reported data, suggesting real graduates are hitting that mid-career mark, but without knowing how many students completed the program or their individual debt loads, you're working with national averages as proxies. For families considering agricultural careers in the region, Mississippi State's land-grant mission and deep industry connections likely provide value beyond what these estimated figures capture—but you're betting on institutional reputation rather than proven graduate outcomes data.
Where Mississippi State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all agricultural production operations bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State University | — | $46,778 | — |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | $62,869 | $67,867 | +8% |
| Washington State University | $56,743 | $50,640 | -11% |
| University of Kentucky | $35,167 | $45,747 | +30% |
| Eastern Kentucky University | $40,047 | $39,385 | -2% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Agricultural Production Operations bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,815 | $38,189* | $46,778 | $22,123* | — | |
| $10,857 | $62,869* | $67,867 | $23,250* | 0.37 | |
| $9,992 | $56,835* | — | $15,211* | 0.27 | |
| $12,997 | $56,743* | $50,640 | $17,395* | 0.31 | |
| $9,228 | $47,297* | — | —* | — | |
| $25,950 | $41,737* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $38,189* | — | $22,123* | 0.58 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with agricultural production operations graduates
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Animal Scientists
Soil and Plant Scientists
Conservation Scientists
Range Managers
Park Naturalists
Animal Breeders
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
Farm and Home Management Educators
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 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 Mississippi State University, approximately 29% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 17 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.