Agricultural Business and Management at University of Louisiana at Monroe

With estimated debt of $20,000—actually below Louisiana's typical $24,553 for agricultural business degrees—ULM's program lands in manageable territory even if first-year earnings of $43,834 trail the national median by about $4,500. Among Louisiana's four ag business programs, this outcome sits at the median, suggesting it reflects regional realities more than program weakness. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary, a workable starting point for a field where earnings often grow with farm management experience or agribusiness roles.

The challenge is that we're working with estimated debt figures here—actual outcomes for ULM graduates could differ. What matters is whether $43,834 creates enough breathing room to service around $20,000 in loans while building a career in Louisiana's agricultural sector. Monthly payments on that debt would run roughly $220 on a standard plan, consuming about 6% of gross income. That's manageable, but it leaves little cushion if actual debt runs higher or if graduates face the extended job searches common in specialized agricultural fields.

For families committed to keeping a student in Louisiana agriculture, this program hits a reasonable price-to-outcome balance based on peer data. The risk isn't catastrophic debt—it's betting on estimated figures when you need certainty about what you'll actually owe versus earn.