Agricultural Business and Management at Lake Area Technical College
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 and Management 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 and Management 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 and Management 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 and Management connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Agricultural Business and Management 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% |
About Agricultural Business and Management Careers
Your office could be the cab of a pickup truck, where you’ll spend your days checking irrigation systems, analyzing soil data on a tablet, and negotiating prices for your crops. Or you might be on the road as a wholesale sales representative, visiting farms and co-ops to demonstrate new seed varieties, manage client accounts, and write up orders.
Read the full Agricultural Business and Management career guide →
Compare & Explore
Agricultural Business and Management Overview
Agricultural Business and Management 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.