Agricultural Production Operations at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,047/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (132,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 17 Agricultural Production Operations programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

While the starting earnings might seem modest, your EKU degree is a direct pipeline into the heart of Kentucky's agricultural economy. The program is deeply connected to the state's signature industries—equine management, livestock, and crop production. This isn't just theoretical; you'll gain hands-on experience at the university's 720-acre Meadowbrook Farm, making you immediately valuable to regional employers like Ag-Pro or state cooperative extension offices. The career paths show strong long-term growth, but many roles are vulnerable to automation. To future-proof your career, actively seek out internships in agricultural technology or business management. This will position you to manage the automated systems of the future, rather than being replaced by them, ensuring you reach those higher-paying leadership roles down the road.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Agricultural Production Operations graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $503K $502K $469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.4x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 39% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,387
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,633
24% growth from Year 1

About Eastern Kentucky University

A 78% acceptance rate means Eastern Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, serving 11,674 students in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky University →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Production Operations at Other Schools

Other Majors at Eastern Kentucky University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Eastern Kentucky University's Agricultural Production Operations program score?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Agricultural Production Operations. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Agricultural Production Operations to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Agricultural Production Operations careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →