Agricultural Business and Management at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Four years out, graduates from this program earn $51,686—a solid outcome for an associate's degree in Wisconsin's agricultural sector. The challenge is the journey there: based on comparable programs nationally, first-year earnings around $37,400 mean starting salaries are modest, though peer programs suggest students typically carry about $12,000 in debt, keeping that initial debt burden manageable at roughly one-third of first-year income.

The strength here is the four-year trajectory, which shows meaningful income growth in a field where hands-on experience and relationship-building matter as much as credentials. Agricultural business roles—from farm management to agribusiness sales—often reward persistence and local knowledge more than starting salary suggests. That said, the limited data transparency means we're working with national benchmarks rather than this specific program's track record, so actual outcomes could vary.

For families considering this path, the key question is whether your student has genuine connections to Wisconsin's agricultural industry. If they're already embedded in farming communities or have clear pathways into agricultural businesses, the debt load is reasonable and the four-year earnings demonstrate viability. Without those built-in advantages, starting at $37,400 in an entry-level role requires confidence that the specific career path—not just the degree—will deliver the expected growth.