Agriculture at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

UPR-Mayaguez's agriculture program faces a challenging reality: first-year earnings of just $18,154 place it in the 5th percentile nationally, well below the national median of $39,438. The debt load is relatively modest at $10,000—among the lowest nationally for agriculture degrees—but even that takes over half a year's starting salary to justify. The limited data (under 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample, but the current picture shows graduates earning less than half what their mainland counterparts typically make.

The good news is earnings growth: by year four, median pay reaches $30,596, a 69% jump that suggests career progression is possible. Among Puerto Rico's two agriculture programs, this one actually ranks in the 60th percentile, though that's partly because the local market pays far less than the mainland. For families considering this degree, the calculation hinges entirely on where graduates plan to work. If staying in Puerto Rico's agricultural sector, the program offers reasonable preparation at manageable debt. If mainland opportunities are the goal, expect a significant earnings gap that could take years to close—assuming the career trajectory continues upward beyond year four.