Agricultural Business and Management at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

UConn Waterbury's agricultural business program delivers a straightforward value proposition: below-average starting salaries but exceptionally manageable debt. Graduates earn $45,435 in their first year—about $3,000 less than the national median for ag business programs—but carry just $23,000 in debt with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51. That's significantly better than the national debt burden for this field. Among Connecticut's six ag business programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it's roughly middle-of-the-pack within the state.

The earnings trajectory shows steady improvement, growing 14% to $51,900 by year four, which brings graduates closer to national benchmarks. For families focused on minimizing educational debt while accessing Connecticut's agricultural sector, this program accomplishes that goal. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes across graduates.

The practical takeaway: This works for students who want to enter agricultural business without taking on heavy debt loads, particularly if they're already connected to Connecticut's ag industry. The lower starting salary is the tradeoff for keeping borrowing minimal, but earnings growth helps close that gap within a few years.