Agricultural Production Operations at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Certificate

Michigan State University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 40,243 students in East Lansing, MI.

Program Analysis

Michigan State University's Agricultural Production Operations graduates start at $35,978/yr — above the $33,953 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 23.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Agricultural Production Operations programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Agricultural Production Operations's career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,500 in median debt clears fast against $35,978 in annual earnings.

At #4 of 12 Agricultural Production Operations programs, Michigan State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Agricultural Production Operations offers 7 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
50
Score
52
High End
Earnings $35,978/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (62% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (132,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$376K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
23.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
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)
$15,988
Out-of-state: $43,372
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,500
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Agricultural Production Operations graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830 +4.0% 52%
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980 -1.3% 63%
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350 +4.1% 50%
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
$100,830
+4.0% growth 52% AI-proof
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
$87,980
-1.3% growth 63% AI-proof
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
$86,350
+4.1% growth 50% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

Agricultural Production Operations Career Guide

What can you do with a Agricultural Production Operations credential from Michigan State University? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Agricultural Production Operations career guide →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Production Operations Overview

Agricultural Production Operations at Other Schools

Other Majors at Michigan State University

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Agricultural Production Operations at Michigan State University?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Agricultural Production Operations graduates.
How vulnerable is Agricultural Production Operations to AI automation?
The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Michigan State University graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Agricultural Production Operations graduates from Michigan State University?
At $7,500 in median debt, Agricultural Production Operations graduates from Michigan State University carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Agricultural Production Operations through an apprenticeship instead of Michigan State University?
There are 7 registered apprenticeships connected to Agricultural Production Operations occupations, such as Beekeeper and Bison Herd Manager. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Agricultural Production Operations from Michigan State University?
At 132,800 annual openings, Agricultural Production Operations has a very large employment base. Michigan State University graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →