Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services at The University of Findlay

University of Findlay's Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services program starts graduates at just $22,211—well below the $31,362 national median and landing in the 5th percentile nationally. However, the story improves dramatically: earnings jump 66% to $36,764 by year four, ultimately exceeding the national median. Among Ohio's four programs in this field, Findlay sits at the median for both earnings and debt, suggesting this trajectory is typical for the state rather than an outlier.

The $26,000 debt load translates to a 1.17 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one, which would be concerning if those initial earnings persisted. But the rapid income growth fundamentally changes the math—by year four, graduates are earning well above the national average for this degree. This pattern likely reflects entry-level positions in animal care or kennel work giving way to roles with more responsibility and better compensation.

The central question is whether your child can weather those first few years on a starting salary that's barely above $20,000. If they have minimal additional expenses and can live affordably during that early career phase, this program ultimately delivers competitive mid-career earnings. But families should plan carefully for that challenging initial period when debt payments will consume a significant portion of take-home pay.