Location: Mitchell, SD•In-State Tuition: $7,524
2026 ROI Award Winner
#10 in South Dakota
Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,871
94th percentile
Median Debt
$12,000
3% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.29 ManageableSample: 43 graduates

Analysis

Mitchell Technical College's ag production program places graduates ahead of 94% of similar programs nationally—a remarkable achievement that merits attention from families considering agricultural careers. First-year earnings of $40,871 nearly double what many associate degree programs deliver, and the $12,000 median debt represents just three months of earnings, creating one of the most favorable debt-to-income ratios you'll find in higher education.

The modest earnings growth to $42,129 by year four reflects agriculture's immediate earning potential rather than weakness. Unlike programs that rely on years of advancement to justify their cost, ag production grads start at strong wages and maintain them through cyclical commodity markets. That 60th percentile ranking among South Dakota programs (though Mitchell is the only in-state option in this dataset) suggests these earnings align with regional agricultural realities rather than inflated projections.

For families with farming backgrounds or students committed to production agriculture, this represents an efficient path to viable employment. The 30% Pell grant rate indicates the program serves working families who need education to deliver quick returns—and at under $12,000 in debt, it does exactly that. You're paying associate degree prices for earnings that compete with many bachelor's programs.

Where Mitchell Technical College Stands

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

Mitchell Technical CollegeOther agricultural production operations programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Mitchell Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Mitchell Technical College earns $41k — 94th percentile among agricultural production operations associates programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Mitchell Technical College$40,871$42,129+3%
Kirkwood Community College$42,392$44,892+6%
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University$36,083$42,774+19%
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
Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell$7,524$40,871$42,129$12,0000.29
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids$5,980$42,392$44,892$10,0000.24
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 Mitchell Technical College, approximately 30% 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 43 graduates with reported earnings and 49 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.