Agricultural Public Services, Other.
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Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Agricultural Public Services, Other.: The DTI for this program is 53.4%, 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 Public Services, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $36131) to the average debt ($19291) 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 Public Services, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 53.4%, 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 Public Services, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($36131) against the typical student debt ($19291), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Agricultural Public Services, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $36131, with grads carrying about $19291 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.53—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 866 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 Public Services, 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 Public Services, Other (CIP 01.0899) is a specialized field focused on the communication, leadership, and advocacy efforts that connect the agricultural industry with the general public and policymakers. While traditional programs might focus on teaching or journalism, this "Other" category is often used for niche areas like international agricultural development, rural community mediation, agricultural crisis communication, and digital ag-marketing.
This field is ideal for "agricultural ambassadors"—individuals who are passionate about the land but prefer working with people, media, and data to solve the disconnect between the farm and the table.
What Is an Agricultural Public Services (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the social and political systems that support agriculture. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs are often highly interdisciplinary, blending agricultural science with public relations, sociology, and economics. You might study how to combat food misinformation on social media, how to organize rural cooperatives in developing nations, or how to manage the public image of "Big Ag" during environmental transitions. It is a communications-heavy major that requires a deep understanding of how food is grown.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Public Information Officers" who can explain complex agricultural policies to the media
- Develop leaders for Agricultural Non-Profits and commodity groups (like the Beef Council or Soybean Association)
- Prepare specialists to work in Rural Development, helping small towns survive economic shifts
- Study the "Sociology of Food"—why people choose what they eat and how they perceive farmers
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that for agriculture to succeed, the public must understand and trust the processes behind food and fiber production.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Strategic Communication to translate scientific data into stories the public can understand
- Use digital media tools (video production, graphic design, social analytics) for advocacy
- Develop "Conflict Resolution" skills to handle disputes between farmers and urban neighbors
- Analyze Public Policy to understand how laws affect the cost and availability of food
- Organize and lead "Extension Programs" that teach new technologies to rural communities
- Perform "Market Research" to track consumer sentiment regarding GMOs, organics, and sustainability
Topics You May Explore
Coursework bridges the gap between the field and the boardroom:
- Agricultural Leadership: The psychology of leading teams in rural and corporate settings.
- International Ag-Development: How to implement sustainable farming in low-income countries.
- Crisis Management: Handling public relations during food recalls or disease outbreaks.
- Digital Literacy in Agriculture: Using technology to bridge the "rural-urban divide."
- Agricultural Law and Ethics: The legalities of land use, water rights, and animal welfare advocacy.
- Public Relations in the Food Industry: Managing the reputation of agricultural brands.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in government, corporate marketing, and international aid organizations.
Common job roles include:
- Agricultural Communications Specialist: Writing and designing content for ag-based companies.
- Extension Agent: Working for universities to bring scientific research to local farmers.
- Rural Development Officer: Creating economic opportunities and infrastructure in small towns.
- Lobbyist/Legislative Assistant: Advocating for agricultural interests in state or federal government.
- Public Relations Manager: Handling the media presence for major food or equipment brands.
- International Development Specialist: Coordinating food aid or agricultural training overseas.
Where Can You Work?
Public service specialists are the "connective tissue" of the industry:
- Government Agencies: The USDA, state departments of agriculture, or the Foreign Agricultural Service.
- Agribusiness Corporations: In the marketing, PR, or "government affairs" departments.
- Trade Associations: Representing specific groups like the National Corn Growers Association.
- Cooperative Extension Services: Often based out of Land-Grant Universities.
- Global Non-Profits: Organizations like USAID or the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary based on whether you work in public extension, private marketing, or government lobbying.
- Public Relations Specialists (Ag Focus): Median annual salary of approximately $62,000–$75,000.
- Extension Agents: Salaries typically range from $45,000 to $65,000 depending on the state.
- Government Affairs/Lobbyists: Median annual salary of around $90,000–$140,000.
- International Development Officers: Salaries often range from $55,000 to $85,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the social and emotional intelligence required. You must have a foundational understanding of "hard science" (soil, animals, plants) but be an expert in "soft skills" (writing, speaking, and negotiating). It requires the ability to talk to a farmer in a tractor one morning and a corporate CEO in a suit that afternoon. You must be able to stay calm and articulate when dealing with controversial or high-stakes public issues.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love agriculture but don't want to be a farmer or a lab scientist
- Are a "natural storyteller" who enjoys writing, filming, or public speaking
- Want a career that involves travel and meeting a wide variety of people
- Are interested in politics and how laws are made
- Want to help solve global problems like world hunger through education and policy
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Speech, Journalism, Economics, and Biology
- Join an FFA chapter and compete in "Agricultural Communications" or "Public Speaking" events
- Volunteer for local community events or rural fairs
- Practice your digital skills—start a blog, podcast, or social media page about food or nature
- Read agricultural news sites like AgWeb or Capital Press to stay current on industry issues
The ability to tell the story of agriculture and build bridges between the farm and the public is the hallmark of a successful agricultural public service professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor