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International Agricultureat Iowa State University

Graduates earn $52,068/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $534K; scenarios range from $493K to $537K depending on AI disruption.

Ames, IA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
45 AVERAGE
45
Optimistic
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$52,068
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$534K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
48% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Iowa State University

While the initial earnings might seem modest, this degree's value lies in its unique focus at a world-class agricultural institution. Iowa State is a global powerhouse in ag-science, and you'll be at the center of an ecosystem that includes giants like Corteva, John Deere, and Cargill. This program isn't just about crop science; it’s about understanding global food systems, policy, and development.

Many graduates start in service-oriented roles with the USDA, international NGOs, or in developing nations, where the work is impactful but salaries are initially lower. The long-term path, however, leads to influential positions in multinational agribusiness or policy advising, where your understanding of cross-cultural trade and food security becomes invaluable. To maximize your potential, aggressively pursue internships with international organizations or corporations to prove you can apply your specialized knowledge to complex, real-world supply chain and development challenges.

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
$493K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple11.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$534K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple12.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$537K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple12.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where International 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
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Also at Iowa State University

Other top programs at Iowa State University

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

FAQ

Frequently asked about International Agriculture at Iowa State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Agriculture at Iowa State University?

A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Agriculture. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace International Agriculture careers?

With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $492,779 in decade earnings vs $537,235 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Iowa State University's International Agriculture program stand out?

Ranked #1 of 1 programs nationally, Iowa State University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.