Agricultural Business and Management, Other.
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Debt to Income Ratio
Why Agricultural Business and Management, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 44.5%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Agricultural Business and Management, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $42188 and average student debt of $18783, the financial outlook for Agricultural Business and Management, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Agricultural Business and Management, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $42188, with grads carrying about $18783 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.45—which is excellent for paying off loans quickly.
Each year, over 8085 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Agricultural Business and Management, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Agricultural Business and Management, Other (CIP 01.0199) is an advanced field that focuses on the economic, financial, and strategic operations of the global food and fiber industry. While traditional ag-business degrees focus on farm management or retail sales, this "Other" category is often reserved for niche or high-growth sectors such as agricultural risk management, carbon market trading, supply chain analytics, and ag-tech venture capital. It is a path for "financial architects"—individuals who want to manage the massive capital and data flows that keep the world fed.
This field is ideal for "business-minded innovators"—individuals who are fascinated by global markets and want to apply sophisticated economic theories to the unpredictable world of nature and climate.
What Is an Agricultural Business and Management (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the commercial viability of agricultural enterprises. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs are often at the intersection of finance, data science, and law. You might study how to value "ecosystem services" (like soil carbon), how to manage the legal complexities of international grain contracts, or how to use predictive modeling to hedge against weather-related crop failures. It is a mathematically rigorous major that treats a farm or a food company like a complex investment portfolio.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Agricultural Analysts" who can interpret big data to guide investment decisions
- Develop experts in Commodity Trading and global price forecasting
- Prepare professionals for Ag-FinTech (Financial Technology), such as blockchain-based crop insurance
- Study the "Economics of Sustainability"—finding ways to make environmental protection profitable for farmers
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that agricultural business is unique because its "factory" (the land) is subject to the unpredictable whims of weather, pests, and global politics.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Quantitative Analysis to determine the return on investment (ROI) for new ag-technologies
- Use "Derivative Markets" to protect companies against sudden drops in crop prices
- Analyze Global Supply Chains to identify bottlenecks in food distribution
- Perform "Risk Assessments" for agricultural loans and insurance policies
- Understand Ag-Policy and Law, including farm bills, trade tariffs, and environmental regulations
- Develop strategic business plans for "Value-Added" products (e.g., turning raw milk into organic artisanal cheese)
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of high-level economics, statistics, and agricultural strategy:
- Agricultural Finance: The study of credit, investment, and capital structure in ag-firms.
- Natural Resource Economics: Managing the economic value of water, land, and air.
- Agribusiness Strategy: Competitive positioning for companies in the global food market.
- Commodity Marketing: The mechanics of the futures and options markets (like the Chicago Board of Trade).
- Operations Research: Using math to optimize transportation and inventory for perishable goods.
- Institutional Food Economics: How large-scale systems like school districts or global fast-food chains buy food.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in the "high finance" and corporate strategy side of the industry.
Common job roles include:
- Commodity Trader: Buying and selling agricultural products on global exchanges.
- Agricultural Credit Analyst: Evaluating the financial health of farms for banks and lenders.
- Supply Chain Analyst: Optimizing the movement of food from processors to grocery retailers.
- Risk Management Consultant: Advising producers on how to use insurance and markets to protect their income.
- Policy Analyst: Working for the government or think tanks to evaluate agricultural laws.
- Sustainability Director: Leading corporate efforts to reduce carbon footprints while maintaining profit.
Where Can You Work?
Ag-business specialists are found in the financial hubs and corporate headquarters of the food world:
- Investment Banks and Lenders: Organizations like Rabobank, Farm Credit, or Wells Fargo.
- Global Commodity Firms: Giants like Cargill, ADM, Louis Dreyfus, or Bunge.
- Government Agencies: The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) or the World Bank.
- Ag-Tech Startups: Companies developing software for farm management or carbon credits.
- Food Retailers: Corporate offices for Walmart, Kroger, or multinational food brands.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings in this "Other" category are typically the highest in the agricultural sector due to the financial and analytical expertise required.
- Agricultural Economists: Median annual salary of approximately $80,000–$115,000.
- Commodity Traders: Salaries often range from $90,000 to over $150,000 (including bonuses).
- Financial Analysts (Ag Focus): Median annual salary of around $75,000–$100,000.
- Supply Chain Managers: Salaries typically range from $85,000 to $125,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the analytical and mathematical rigor. You must be successful in Statistics, Calculus, and Micro/Macroeconomics. It requires a "strategic" mind—the ability to look at a global map, a weather report, and a price chart and see how they are all connected. You must be comfortable making decisions under high pressure and dealing with large amounts of data. It is less about "hands-on" farming and more about "brains-on" business.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love the idea of agriculture but prefer the "Boardroom" to the "Barn"
- Are fascinated by how global markets, prices, and trade wars work
- Are a "data person" who likes using math to solve real-world problems
- Want a career that is high-paced and offers significant financial reward
- Are interested in the "Big Picture" of how to feed 10 billion people profitably and sustainably
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Statistics, Calculus, Economics, and Business
- Join an FFA chapter and compete in "Agricultural Sales" or "Farm Business Management" events
- Follow the news (Wall Street Journal, etc.) to understand how global events affect prices
- Practice your Excel skills; being a power-user of spreadsheets is a "must" in this field
- Start a small investment club or business to learn about profit, loss, and risk
The ability to navigate the complex financial and economic systems of global food production is the hallmark of a successful agricultural business professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor