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Agriculture · Agriculture Rank #4 of 47

Agricultureat Fort Hays State University

Graduates earn $48,048/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Agriculture average. Base-case 10-year earnings $515K; scenarios range from $477K to $518K depending on AI disruption.

Hays, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
48 AVERAGE
48
Optimistic
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$48,048
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$515K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Fort Hays State University

While the numbers look solid, they don't capture Fort Hays State's core advantage: its deep integration with the Great Plains agricultural economy. You won't just be studying theory; you'll be immersed in a region dominated by large-scale farming, ranching, and the agribusiness firms that support them, like Cargill and Scoular. This environment creates a direct pipeline to careers in crop management, animal science, and agricultural sales right in the Midwest. The program's strength lies in its practical, hands-on focus, preparing you for the realities of an industry rapidly adopting technology for precision farming and resource management.

For a career here, you must get your hands dirty. Pursue internships with local co-ops or research stations to build the practical experience that will make you an indispensable hire in this vital regional industry.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$477K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple21.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$515K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple22.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$518K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple23.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fort Hays State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Agriculture graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$86,350/yr
High
2
Food scientists and technologists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 1,200 openings/yr
$85,310/yr
Moderate
3
Animal scientists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$79,120/yr
High
4
Soil and plant scientists
+5.4% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$71,410/yr
Moderate
5
Agricultural technicians
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$46,790/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Agriculture

How Fort Hays State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
56
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
14.4x
ROI
Texas A & M University-College Station
TX · Public
50
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
ND · Public
45
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Texas Tech University
TX · Public
45
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
10.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
30
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Also at Fort Hays State University

Other top programs at Fort Hays State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fort Hays State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Agriculture offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Agriculture trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Agriculture at Fort Hays State University

What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Agriculture at Fort Hays State University?

At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Agriculture programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Agriculture at Fort Hays State University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.