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Agricultural Business at Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Agricultural Business and Management

serving 7,438 students in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Program Analysis

At $40,835 per year, Agricultural Business graduates from Kirkwood Community College earn slightly above the $36,297 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 35.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Agricultural Business programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Agricultural Business's career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $11,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #9 of 18 Agricultural Business programs, Kirkwood Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Agricultural Business, including Beekeeper (median $87,980/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
66
Score
68
High End
Earnings $40,835/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (398,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$427K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
35.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,960
Out-of-state: $15,936
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Agricultural Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980 +2.1% 52%
Economists $115,440 +1.2% 39%
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980 -1.3% 63%
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980
+2.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Economists
$115,440
+1.2% growth 39% AI-proof
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
$87,980
-1.3% growth 63% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Agricultural Business Career Guide

Explore what Agricultural Business graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 18 programs nationwide.

Read the full Agricultural Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Business Overview

View all 18 schools offering Agricultural Business →

Agricultural Business at Other Schools

North Dakota State College of Science ($48,646) Hawkeye Community College ($47,472) Ridgewater College ($44,875) Southeast Community College Area ($42,642) North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($41,966) Lake Area Technical College ($41,340) Northeast Iowa Community College ($40,955) Des Moines Area Community College ($40,506)

Other Majors at Kirkwood Community College

Nursing ($64,461) Electrical Engineering Technology ($60,210) Agricultural Mechanization ($54,829) Allied Health Professions ($52,364) Electromechanical Technology ($50,387) Precision Metalworking ($48,114) Vehicle Repair Technology ($44,896) Agricultural Production Operations ($42,392)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Agricultural Business degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Kirkwood Community College's Agricultural Business program score?
At 66/100, Kirkwood Community College's Agricultural Business program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Agricultural Business at Kirkwood Community College?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $427,224 in decade earnings vs $427,224 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Agricultural Business graduates from Kirkwood Community College?
Median debt of just $11,000 against $40,835/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Agricultural Business through an apprenticeship instead of Kirkwood Community College?
If Kirkwood Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Agricultural Business. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Agricultural Business graduates from Kirkwood Community College find jobs?
Job availability for Agricultural Business is strong — 398,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Kirkwood Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in IA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →