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Agricultural Business at North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, ND · Public · Associate Degree · Agricultural Business and Management

a smaller institution with 1,733 students in Wahpeton, ND.

Program Analysis

North Dakota State College of Science Agricultural Business graduates command $48,646/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,297 national median. That 34% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 44.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Agricultural Business career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,000 in median debt clears fast against $48,646 in annual earnings.

North Dakota State College of Science ranks #4 among 18 Agricultural Business programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $48,646 to $52,517 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Agricultural Business careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
72
Score
74
High End
Earnings $48,646/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (52% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (398,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$531K
1.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.8x
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)
$11,856
Out-of-state: $13,852
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,517
8% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Agricultural Business careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering agriculture & natural resources.

Read the full Agricultural Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Business Overview

View all 18 schools offering Agricultural Business →

Agricultural Business at Other Schools

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) Kirkwood Community College ($40,835) Des Moines Area Community College ($40,506)

Other Majors at North Dakota State College of Science

Agricultural Mechanization ($62,531) Industrial Production Technology ($59,489) Nursing ($59,229) Vehicle Repair Technology ($56,659) Precision Metalworking ($51,647) Environmental Technology ($50,780) Dental Assisting ($48,565) Electrical Engineering Technology ($45,253)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Agricultural Business degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Agricultural Business at North Dakota State College of Science?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. North Dakota State College of Science's Agricultural Business graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Should I worry about AI if I study Agricultural Business at North Dakota State College of Science?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $508,944 in decade earnings vs $531,022 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Agricultural Business at North Dakota State College of Science?
Median debt of just $11,000 against $48,646/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 makes North Dakota State College of Science's Agricultural Business program stand out?
Ranked #4 of 18 programs nationally, North Dakota State College of Science lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Agricultural Business program at North Dakota State College of Science?
If North Dakota State College of Science'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 North Dakota State College of Science find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Agricultural Business have roughly 398,100 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →