Agricultural Production Operations at Washington State University

Washington State's agricultural production program launches graduates into earnings nearly 50% above the national average, with first-year salaries of $56,743 compared to the national median of just $38,189. Given that only two Washington schools offer this degree, it's essentially a WSU/peer comparison—and WSU performs competitively. More importantly, graduates here carry just $17,395 in debt (below the national program median of $22,123), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 that signals manageable repayment from day one.

The unusual element is that earnings actually decline to $50,640 by year four—but context matters. This could reflect graduates moving from corporate ag positions to farm ownership or management roles that build equity rather than immediate salary. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, even a couple of career pivots could skew the average. What's clear is that the low debt load provides flexibility for whatever path alumni choose, whether that's launching their own operation or working their way up in agribusiness.

For students serious about Washington agriculture careers, this program combines strong institutional support with practical debt levels. The small sample size means your child's network will be tight-knit but limited—something to weigh against the financial fundamentals, which look sound.