Location: West Lafayette, IN•In-State Tuition: $9,992•Out-of-State Tuition: $28,794•Admission Rate: 50%•Avg SAT: 1342
Median Earnings (1yr)
$52,804
86th percentile
Median Debt
$17,500
13% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.33 ManageableSample: 141 graduates

Analysis

Purdue's Agricultural Business and Management program outperforms the vast majority of similar programs nationwide while keeping debt manageable. First-year graduates earn $52,804—beating 86% of ag business programs nationally and sitting well above the national median of $48,338. The $17,500 in typical debt translates to a 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about four months of salary, which is reasonable for a bachelor's degree. With only three ag business programs in Indiana, Purdue sits at the state median, but the real story is its national standing.

The earnings trajectory looks solid, with a 14% increase to $60,163 by year four. This suggests graduates are gaining traction in their careers rather than plateauing early. The program benefits from Purdue's reputation in agriculture—a field where the university carries significant weight with employers across the Midwest and beyond.

For parents weighing ag business programs, this represents a clear win: strong starting salaries, manageable debt, and proven earnings growth. The selectivity (50% admission rate, 1342 SAT average) means your student will be challenged without facing impossible odds. If your child is serious about the business side of agriculture, Purdue delivers results that most competing programs can't match.

Where Purdue University-Main Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all agricultural business and management bachelors's programs nationally

Purdue University-Main CampusOther agricultural business and management programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Purdue University-Main Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Purdue University-Main Campus earns $53k — 86th percentile among agricultural business and management bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Purdue University-Main Campus$52,804$60,163+14%
Cornell University$92,163$113,850+24%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$52,778$78,364+48%
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign$55,934$74,858+34%
Texas Tech University$50,509$71,893+42%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Agricultural Business and Management bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette$9,992$52,804$60,163$17,5000.33
Cornell UniversityIthaca$66,014$92,163$113,850$13,2580.14
University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney$8,302$61,152$59,416——
North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo$10,857$59,953$62,322$19,5000.33
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia$14,130$58,335$59,013$17,4990.30
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing$15,988$57,023$65,269$24,1250.42
National Median—$48,338—$20,0000.41

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with agricultural business and management graduates

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

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:

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

$74,100/yrJobs growth:

Computer User Support Specialists

Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

$61,550/yrJobs growth:

Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts.

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 Office and Administrative Support Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

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 Purdue University-Main Campus, approximately 13% 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 141 graduates with reported earnings and 97 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.