Analysis
A bachelor's degree in Agricultural Public Services from UGA enters a niche field where earnings data is inherently limited—only 37 schools nationwide offer this program, and most have too few graduates to generate reportable outcomes. Based on what peer programs nationally suggest, first-year earnings around $44,000 with debt near $19,500 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45, which falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold. That's better than many bachelor's programs and indicates graduates can likely service their loans without severe financial strain.
The challenge here isn't the numbers themselves but the uncertainty around what "Agricultural Public Services" actually prepares students to do. This specialized degree could lead to careers in cooperative extension, natural resource management, or agricultural policy—fields that often start modestly but offer public service loan forgiveness opportunities and steady advancement. However, without program-specific data from UGA itself, it's difficult to know if their graduates follow typical patterns or command different outcomes due to institutional reputation or regional job markets.
For parents considering this program, the financial picture based on comparable programs appears reasonable, but the real due diligence involves understanding career paths. Talk to UGA's program director about where recent graduates actually work and their typical salary progression. If your child is passionate about agricultural policy or extension work, the estimated debt load shouldn't derail that path—but confirm that this specific degree leads where they want to go.
Where University of Georgia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all agricultural public services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Agricultural Public Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of GeorgiaAthens | $11,180 | $43,778* | — | $19,500* | — |
 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo | $11,075 | $54,583* | $73,829 | —* | — |
 University of ArkansasFayetteville | $9,748 | $50,123* | $42,243 | $19,952* | 0.40 |
 University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign | $16,004 | $48,643* | — | —* | — |
 University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison | $11,205 | $48,092* | $59,522 | $17,460* | 0.36 |
 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station | $13,099 | $44,232* | $49,429 | $19,500* | 0.44 |
| National Median | — | $43,778* | — | $19,500* | 0.45 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with agricultural public services graduates
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 Georgia, approximately 17% 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 10 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.