Agricultural Production Operations, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Agricultural Production Operations, Other.: The DTI for this program is 57.0%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Agricultural Production Operations, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $30730) to the average debt ($17511) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Agricultural Production Operations, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 57.0%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Agricultural Production Operations, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($30730) against the typical student debt ($17511), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Agricultural Production Operations, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $30730, with grads carrying about $17511 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.57—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 3522 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 Production Operations, 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 Production Operations, Other (CIP 01.0399) is an applied field that focuses on the technical management and daily execution of modern farming and ranching. While traditional programs might focus on a single crop or animal, this "Other" category is designed for complex, integrated systems like regenerative agriculture, urban rooftop farming, industrial hemp production, or automated indoor grow-ops. It is a path for the "new-age farmer" who combines traditional knowledge with high-tech equipment and sustainable business practices.
This field is ideal for "operational leaders"—individuals who want to be on the front lines of food production, managing the labor, machinery, and biological processes required to turn a seed or a calf into a marketable product.
What Is an Agricultural Production Operations (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the physical and logistical side of agriculture. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs are often at the cutting edge of industry trends. You might study how to manage closed-loop systems where fish waste fertilizes plants (aquaponics), or how to oversee large-scale drone fleets for crop monitoring. It is a "hands-on" STEM major that prioritizes efficiency, safety, and the bottom line of a production facility.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Farm and Ranch Managers" who can handle both biological health and financial spreadsheets
- Develop experts in Precision Production—using variable-rate technology to minimize waste
- Prepare specialists for the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry
- Study the operations of "Alternative Agriculture," such as insect farming for protein or vertical hydroponics
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that successful production is a balancing act between the biology of the crop, the maintenance of the machine, and the management of the crew.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Agricultural Equipment Operations including GPS-guided tractors and harvesters
- Manage "Production Logistics"—scheduling planting, treatments, and harvests for maximum yield
- Perform technical maintenance on irrigation, climate control, and automated feeding systems
- Apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to protect crops with minimal chemical use
- Understand "Ag-Finance" including crop insurance, commodity markets, and labor laws
- Implement Food Safety Protocols to ensure products meet retail and government standards
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of biology, mechanics, and industrial management:
- Plant and Animal Husbandry: The fundamental science of keeping crops and livestock healthy.
- Ag-Power and Machinery: The engineering and repair of modern agricultural tools.
- Soil and Water Management: Strategies for sustainable irrigation and preventing land degradation.
- Agricultural Labor Management: The "human" side of farming, including safety and leadership.
- Precision Ag Technology: Learning to use sensors and software to guide production decisions.
- Sustainable Operations: Transitioning farms to low-carbon or organic production methods.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as the "engine room" of the agricultural industry, ensuring that food systems run smoothly.
Common job roles include:
- Farm/Ranch Manager: Overseeing the total operations of a large-scale agricultural business.
- Greenhouse Operations Manager: Leading the production in high-tech indoor growing facilities.
- Custom Applicator: Operating specialized machinery to apply fertilizers or protections to crops.
- Production Supervisor: Managing teams in food processing or livestock finishing facilities.
- Agricultural Equipment Specialist: Helping farms implement and maintain new robotic technologies.
- Harvest Manager: Coordinating the high-stakes logistics of bringing crops from the field to storage.
Where Can You Work?
Production specialists are the foundation of the agricultural sector:
- Large-Scale Commercial Farms: Working in row crops, orchards, or livestock operations.
- High-Tech Greenhouses: Producing leafy greens, berries, or medicinal plants indoors.
- Agricultural Cooperatives: Providing operational services to member farmers.
- Corporate Agribusinesses: Managing production for companies like Driscoll’s or Tyson Foods.
- Equipment Manufacturers: Working for companies like John Deere or Case IH in field testing and support.
How Much Can You Earn?
Salaries are often performance-based, with significant potential for growth as you manage larger operations or more complex technology.
- Farm and Ranch Managers: Median annual salary of approximately $70,000–$90,000 (often includes housing/vehicle).
- Greenhouse Managers: Salaries typically range from $60,000 to $85,000.
- Precision Ag Technicians: Median annual salary of around $55,000–$75,000.
- Production Supervisors: Entry-level management roles often start between $50,000 and $65,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the technical and physical versatility. You must be proficient in Biology and Math, but also have a high "mechanical aptitude" for troubleshooting machinery and software. It requires a "work-until-it's-done" mindset, especially during planting and harvest seasons when the hours are long and the environment is demanding. You must be as comfortable with a wrench as you are with a laptop.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love being outdoors and working with your hands, but also enjoy technology
- Are a "natural leader" who likes managing teams and logistics
- Want a career with tangible results that you can see at the end of every day
- Are fascinated by how large-scale systems (like a massive farm or greenhouse) function
- Want to be a part of the "Future of Farming," including automation and sustainability
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Biology, Agricultural Science, Physics, and Business
- Join an FFA chapter and participate in "Agricultural Mechanics" or "Farm Business Management" events
- Get experience operating machinery or working on a local farm/greenhouse
- Practice "troubleshooting" by working on engines, electronics, or home repair projects
- Learn the basics of Excel or data management; tracking production numbers is vital
The ability to manage the high-tech machinery and biological systems required to feed the world is the hallmark of a successful agricultural production professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor