Location: Davis, CA•In-State Tuition: $15,247•Out-of-State Tuition: $46,024•Admission Rate: 42%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,189
Est. from national median (17 programs)
Median Debt
$13,712
38% below national median

Analysis

UC Davis charges remarkably little for its agricultural production program—just $13,712 in typical debt, well below the $22,123 national median and landing in the 95th percentile for affordability among ag programs nationwide. That's a meaningful financial advantage, even if the earnings picture remains somewhat opaque.

The earnings trajectory here is puzzling. National data suggests first-year earnings around $38,000, but four years out, graduates are making barely more at $40,897. That flat growth pattern is unusual for a UC degree and raises questions about whether ag production roles simply have limited upside or whether many graduates shift into different career paths. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 looks manageable on paper, but without clear income growth, there's little margin for error.

For a family weighing this investment, the low debt load is genuinely reassuring—your child won't be crushed by payments. But press the school on career outcomes: Where do graduates actually end up? Are they farming, moving into agribusiness, or leaving agriculture entirely? The weak earnings growth suggests this program may function more as a foundation for grad school or family farm operations than a direct path to strong wages. At this price point, it's a reasonable bet if your child has a clear ag career plan, but verify that the post-graduation reality aligns with their expectations.

Where University of California-Davis Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all agricultural production operations bachelors's programs nationally

University of California-Davis (estimated ±10%)Other agricultural production operations programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of California-Davis—$40,897—
North Dakota State University-Main Campus$62,869$67,867+8%
Washington State University$56,743$50,640-11%
University of Kentucky$35,167$45,747+30%
Eastern Kentucky University$40,047$39,385-2%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Agricultural Production Operations bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of California-DavisDavis$15,247$38,189*$40,897$13,712—
North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo$10,857$62,869*$67,867$23,2500.37
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette$9,992$56,835*—$15,2110.27
Washington State UniversityPullman$12,997$56,743*$50,640$17,3950.31
Utah State UniversityLogan$9,228$47,297*———
University of Mount OliveMount Olive$25,950$41,737*———
National Median—$38,189*—$22,1230.58
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with agricultural production operations graduates

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

$87,980/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Animal Scientists

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Conservation Scientists

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Range Managers

Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Park Naturalists

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

$69,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Animal Breeders

Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring. May require knowledge of artificial insemination techniques and equipment use. May involve keeping records on heats, birth intervals, or pedigree.

$35,980/yrJobs growth:

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.

$35,980/yrJobs growth:

Farm and Home Management Educators

Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of California-Davis, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 17 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.