Agricultural Production Operations at Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue's agricultural production program significantly outperforms the national landscape—graduates earn 49% more than the typical ag production major, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. That $56,835 starting salary isn't just respectable; it reflects genuine market value in a field where most programs struggle to break $40,000. Equally impressive, students graduate with just $15,211 in debt, well below the national median of $22,123, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 that's among the strongest in higher education.

The Indiana context requires nuance: this program sits at the 60th percentile statewide, but that's with only three schools offering agricultural production degrees in the state. Purdue is competing against specialized ag schools in a farming-intensive state, so middle-of-the-pack within Indiana still translates to exceptional nationally. For families comparing options beyond state lines, this program delivers substantially more earning power than most ag production degrees elsewhere.

The practical math works cleanly: graduates could pay off their entire debt in roughly three months of post-graduation earnings. For students genuinely interested in production agriculture—not just agricultural business or management—this represents a low-risk path into a stable industry. Purdue's reputation in agriculture carries weight with employers, and the numbers confirm that pedigree translates to better job placement and compensation.