Agricultural Business and Management at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's agricultural business program delivers solid first-year earnings at $53,229—well above the national median—but the numbers tell a more complex story for Nebraska families. While this program ranks in the 88th percentile nationally, it lands at just the 40th percentile within Nebraska, where ag business graduates typically earn $57,190. The University of Nebraska at Kearney's program, for instance, produces graduates earning $61,152, nearly $8,000 more annually.

The debt picture is manageable at $19,500, creating a comfortable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should be able to handle. However, the earnings trajectory is essentially flat—just a 1% increase from year one to year four—suggesting graduates reach their earning potential quickly but may need to chart their own path for advancement, whether through management roles, farm ownership, or specialized expertise.

For families choosing between Nebraska's ag business programs, this represents a middle-of-the-pack option that trades some earning potential for the flagship university experience. If your child is set on UNL for other reasons (campus culture, specific faculty, additional opportunities), the difference isn't dramatic enough to be disqualifying. But if maximizing agricultural business earnings is the priority, the state has stronger-performing programs.