Agriculture at Tennessee State University

Tennessee State's agriculture program produces graduates earning $34,255 initially, which lands in the bottom quarter nationally but actually places above the state median—meaning this program outperforms most Tennessee agriculture options despite modest absolute numbers. With only four schools offering agriculture degrees in Tennessee, this 60th percentile state ranking matters more than the national comparison, especially for families considering in-state tuition. The $27,000 debt load is lower than national and state norms, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79.

The earnings trajectory shows steady improvement, reaching $37,338 by year four—a 9% increase that suggests reasonable career development. While graduates won't match the $39,438 that University of Tennessee-Martin produces, they're also avoiding the debt burdens common at many agriculture programs. For students committed to farming or agricultural services in Tennessee, the combination of below-average debt and in-state performance makes this viable, particularly given that agriculture careers often involve entrepreneurship or family operations where initial salaries don't tell the full financial story.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. For families willing to accept that uncertainty, TSU offers an affordable path into Tennessee agriculture that won't bury graduates in debt while they establish themselves in what's often a slow-building career.