Agriculture at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

At an estimated $20,625 in debt for a bachelor's degree that peers nationally suggest produces first-year earnings around $39,438, this program shows a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52—meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. Agriculture programs across the country typically cluster around these same figures, suggesting the field offers consistent, if modest, early-career returns. The debt load is reasonable enough that monthly loan payments shouldn't overwhelm entry-level farm management, agribusiness, or agricultural sales positions.

What's harder to assess is how UW-River Falls specifically compares within Wisconsin, since it's the only agriculture bachelor's program in the state with available data. The school's 82% admission rate and moderate academic profile suggest it's accessible to most students, and just 20% of students receive Pell grants—well below the national average—indicating a relatively affluent student body. Agriculture is inherently place-based, and Wisconsin's strong dairy and crop production sectors could provide regional advantages not captured in national comparisons.

The practical reality: if your child is serious about agriculture and wants to stay in Wisconsin, this may be their clearest four-year path. The estimated debt burden won't be crushing, but first-year earnings in the high $30,000s mean expect a few lean years out of the gate. Make sure they're committed to the field itself—not just the idea of it—before taking on even moderate debt.