Agricultural Public Services at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's Agricultural Public Services program outpaces most Texas alternatives by a meaningful margin—earning nearly $9,000 more than the state median and leading competitors like Texas Tech by $8,000 annually. At the 60th percentile statewide, it's positioned in the stronger half of options for students interested in this field. The debt load of $19,500 sits right at national norms, creating a manageable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio that students can reasonably handle on starting salaries in the mid-$40,000s.

The 12% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests steady career progression, with graduates reaching nearly $50,000 by their fourth year out. While this won't fund a lavish lifestyle, it reflects the public service nature of these careers—think agricultural extension agents, soil conservation specialists, and rural community development roles. These positions prioritize social impact over maximizing income.

For families comfortable with the trade-off between service-oriented work and earnings potential, this represents a solid path. The combination of reasonable debt, above-average Texas outcomes, and A&M's strong agricultural network makes this a practical choice for students genuinely committed to public service in agricultural communities rather than maximizing their paycheck.