Agricultural Business and Management at Northern Wyoming Community College District
Associate's Degree
sheridan.eduAnalysis
Peer programs in agricultural business nationally point to first-year earnings around $37,400, with typical debt loads near $12,000—figures that position this associate degree as relatively affordable vocational training. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 falls well within manageable territory, meaning graduates from comparable programs can reasonably expect to handle their loan payments on an ag business salary. That's the practical math, though it's worth noting we're working entirely from national patterns here since Northern Wyoming's specific outcomes aren't publicly available due to small cohort sizes.
Wyoming's agricultural economy creates natural demand for business-minded operators who understand both farming and finance, but that local advantage doesn't guarantee strong outcomes. The estimated $37,400 starting salary suggests modest but stable income, though it lags behind what some ag business programs achieve nationally (the top quarter hits $41,500). For students planning to return to family operations or stay in rural communities where living costs are lower, these numbers may work better than they appear on paper.
The clearest conclusion: this appears to be a low-risk credential if ag business aligns with your child's actual career path, but without school-specific data, you're making decisions based on what typically happens elsewhere rather than what Northern Wyoming demonstrably delivers. If your child has concrete connections to Wyoming agriculture—family land, existing networks, apprenticeship opportunities—that context matters more than these estimated figures.
Where Northern Wyoming Community College District Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all agricultural business and management associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Agricultural Business and Management associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,830 | $37,423* | — | $11,978* | — | |
| $5,928 | $48,646* | $43,988 | $11,956* | 0.25 | |
| $6,308 | $47,472* | $42,239 | —* | — | |
| $3,540 | $42,642* | $40,002 | $10,748* | 0.25 | |
| $8,895 | $41,966* | $43,018 | $12,750* | 0.30 | |
| $6,718 | $41,340* | $44,958 | $12,000* | 0.29 | |
| National Median | — | $37,423* | — | $12,000* | 0.32 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with agricultural business and management graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Computer User Support Specialists
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
Farm and Home Management Educators
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
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 Northern Wyoming Community College District, approximately 17% 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 16 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.