Agricultural Business and Management at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Tech's Agricultural Business and Management program produces graduates who start at $48,557 and reach nearly $59,000 by year four—solid performance that places it above the national median and in the 60th percentile among Virginia programs. More impressive is the debt picture: graduates leave with just $23,000, placing this program in the 11th percentile nationally for debt burden. That 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio means students typically owe less than half their first year's salary, a manageable position that's better than most agricultural business programs nationwide.

The 22% earnings growth over four years suggests stable career progression in Virginia's agricultural sector, which includes both traditional farming operations and the state's growing agribusiness industry. While these aren't tech-sector salaries, they're competitive for rural Virginia and reflect the program's strong placement in agricultural finance, supply chain management, and farm operations roles. The moderate sample size indicates steady but not overwhelming enrollment—typical for an agricultural program at a research university.

For students genuinely interested in agriculture and rural business, this represents a sound investment. The combination of low debt and steady earnings growth means graduates can build careers without financial strain. The key is fit: if your child wants to work in agricultural industries and appreciates Virginia Tech's strong land-grant mission, the numbers support that choice.