Agricultural Public Services at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

At $48,643 in first-year earnings, this program lands at the 76th percentile nationally for Agricultural Public Services—well above the $43,778 national median. That's a strong signal that UIUC's connections to Illinois's agricultural industry and public sector are translating into solid early outcomes for graduates.

The estimated debt of $19,500, based on similar programs at comparable institutions, produces a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio. For context, agricultural programs often lead to public service, extension, or policy roles where earning trajectories may be steadier than spectacular, but this starting salary suggests graduates are finding positions that can comfortably handle their debt obligations within a reasonable timeframe. The fact that UIUC is the only school in Illinois offering this specific bachelor's program also hints at less in-state competition for relevant positions.

The caveat here is that we're working with estimated debt rather than actual reported figures for UIUC graduates—the cohort was too small to publish. Still, the strong earnings placement relative to peer programs nationwide suggests this program is doing something right in preparing students for careers in agricultural extension, policy, and public service. If your child is genuinely interested in the intersection of agriculture and public policy, this appears to be a practical investment with debt that shouldn't overwhelm early-career earnings.