Agricultural Business at Lake Area Technical College

Watertown, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Agricultural Business and Management

with a smaller student body of 1,710 in Watertown, SD.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,340 at Lake Area Technical College come in 14% above the national median of $36,297 for Agricultural Business programs.

The 35.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Agricultural Business graduates.

With first-year pay of $41,340 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #10 out of 18 programs, Lake Area Technical College's financial outcomes for Agricultural Business trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $41,340 to $47,845 over five years (16% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Agricultural Business connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
66
Score
69
High End
Earnings $41,340/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (398,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$490K
3.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
36.5x
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
$13,436
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,845
16% growth from Year 1

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

What can you do with a Agricultural Business credential from Lake Area Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Agricultural Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Business Overview

Agricultural Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lake Area Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lake Area Technical College's Agricultural Business program score?
This program scores 66/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Agricultural Business programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How vulnerable is Agricultural Business to AI automation?
AI won't eliminate Agricultural Business careers, but it may reshape them. At Lake Area Technical College, a score of 66/100 already accounts for the 48% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Agricultural Business at Lake Area Technical College?
Median debt of just $12,000 against $41,340/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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Agricultural Business graduates?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Agricultural Business. For students weighing Lake Area Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Agricultural Business graduates from Lake Area Technical College find jobs?
Job availability for Agricultural Business is strong — 398,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Lake Area Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in SD may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →