Agricultural Production Operations at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

This program's earnings start well below the national median—landing in just the 10th percentile nationally—but that tells only part of the story. Among Nebraska's three agricultural production programs, this sits at the 60th percentile, and more importantly, graduates see 33% earnings growth by year four, reaching $32,430. The $11,629 debt load is manageable, with first-year graduates owing less than half their annual salary.

The challenge is that even with solid growth, four-year earnings still trail the $33,940 national median for agricultural associate degrees. This makes sense for a general university setting versus specialized ag schools, where students may be using this as a stepping stone rather than their terminal credential. The moderate sample size suggests this isn't UNL's primary agricultural pathway—their four-year programs likely attract most ag students.

For families considering this route, understand you're trading lower initial earnings for the credibility of a Big Ten name and potential pathways into UNL's bachelor's programs. If your child plans to work immediately in production agriculture and stay in Nebraska, the debt is light enough that the income trajectory works. But if they're comparing against specialized ag technical colleges elsewhere or planning to transfer anyway, those alternatives might offer a more direct path to competitive earnings in this field.