Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 looks manageable on paper, but both figures here come from national peer programs rather than UNR's actual graduate outcomes. The $39,438 first-year salary estimate sits at the national median for agriculture bachelor's degrees, while the $20,625 debt figure represents typical borrowing at public universities. For context, agriculture earnings vary widely depending on specialization—agribusiness roles typically pay differently than production agriculture or environmental science paths—and Nevada's unique agricultural economy (dominated by ranching and specialty crops rather than traditional row crops) may produce outcomes that differ substantially from the national baseline.
The absence of reported data isn't necessarily a red flag; agriculture programs at land-grant universities like UNR often have small graduating cohorts that trigger privacy protections in federal data. As Nevada's only four-year agriculture program, UNR benefits from connections to the state's agricultural extension network and regional employers. However, parents should recognize they're making a decision with limited hard evidence about actual graduate outcomes from this specific program.
The practical question is whether your child has a clear path into a higher-paying agricultural sector—agtech, supply chain management, or food science roles often exceed that $39,000 benchmark significantly. If they're pursuing production agriculture or staying local in Nevada's smaller market, assume earnings closer to or below the estimate. Request placement data directly from UNR's College of Agriculture before committing.
Where University of Nevada-Reno Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all agriculture bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Agriculture bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,994 | $39,438* | — | $20,625* | — | |
| $11,075 | $64,786* | $57,972 | $21,903* | 0.34 | |
| $13,099 | $59,625* | $56,790 | $18,585* | 0.31 | |
| $10,857 | $55,828* | — | $25,000* | 0.45 | |
| $11,852 | $54,596* | $42,800 | $27,000* | 0.49 | |
| $66,014 | $53,465* | $48,476 | $15,599* | 0.29 | |
| National Median | — | $39,438* | — | $20,625* | 0.52 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with agriculture graduates
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Animal Scientists
Food Scientists and Technologists
Soil and Plant Scientists
Agricultural Technicians
Precision Agriculture Technicians
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 Nevada-Reno, approximately 24% 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 47 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.