Agricultural Business and Management at University of California-Davis

UC Davis is a powerhouse in agricultural sciences, yet first-year earnings data for this specific program remains unavailable—forcing us to rely on estimates from similar California programs that suggest around $49,000. While this aligns closely with both state and national medians, it's worth noting that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's comparable program reports actual earnings nearly $4,000 higher, and even Fresno State shows graduates clearing $50,000. The estimated debt of roughly $14,000 is notably lower than the national median of $20,000, suggesting UC Davis students in this field either borrow less or the university offers stronger financial aid.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 looks manageable on paper—students would owe less than three months of their first-year salary. But the lack of reported data raises practical questions about this program's trajectory. UC Davis has exceptional resources in agriculture, from its renowned viticulture program to its agricultural economics research, yet without actual graduate outcomes, we can't confirm whether students are capturing that institutional advantage in the job market.

For parents, the financial picture based on peer programs suggests reasonable risk, but you're essentially betting on UC Davis's brand strength in agriculture without direct evidence of what graduates from this specific bachelor's program actually earn. If your child is set on agricultural business, ask the department directly about job placement and starting salaries—the university should have internal data even if DOE doesn't publish it.