Agricultural Production Operations at Niagara County Community College

At $33,131 in first-year earnings and $11,000 in debt, this program appears roughly middle-of-the-road—until you look closer at the trajectory. Earnings drop 16% by year four to just $27,883, suggesting graduates may start in agriculture but don't necessarily advance within the field. With only four ag production programs in New York, this one performs about average for the state (60th percentile), though that's a small comparison pool. The debt load itself is manageable, representing just four months of first-year income.

The core challenge here is that earnings in the mid-to-high $20,000s four years out don't leave much financial breathing room, even with modest debt. This pattern could reflect seasonal work, career changes, or the realities of entry-level agricultural employment in upstate New York. The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians.

For families considering this path, the question becomes whether agriculture is the long-term goal or a stepping stone. If your student is committed to farming or ag operations and has additional resources (family land, established connections), the low debt makes this a reasonable launch point. If they're uncertain about the field, the declining earnings trend suggests they should have a clear plan for either advancing within agriculture or pivoting to something more lucrative.