Agricultural Business and Management at Stautzenberger College-Maumee

Starting an agriculture career with $27,773 in debt to earn $22,309 isn't just concerning—it's among the worst outcomes nationally for this program. Stautzenberger-Maumee ranks in the 10th percentile nationwide and 25th percentile in Ohio, where graduates from Ohio State's Agricultural Technical Institute earn 56% more right out of the gate. More troubling: while the national median debt for this associate's degree is $12,000, Stautzenberger students carry more than double that burden, placing this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt load.

The math doesn't work for most families. With first-year earnings barely above $22,000, graduates will struggle with loan payments that could easily consume 15-20% of their take-home pay. This is particularly concerning given that 75% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from families with limited ability to help with debt repayment. Even within Ohio's agricultural programs, this represents below-average value—the state median for ag business associates earns $28,528, giving graduates significantly more breathing room.

For families committed to agricultural business, exploring Ohio State's options or other in-state programs would provide substantially better financial positioning. The $12,000+ savings in debt combined with $6,000-12,000 higher earnings creates a fundamentally different financial trajectory for young professionals entering this field.