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Agricultural Production Operations at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
57
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $56,835/yr (43% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (132,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 17 Agricultural Production Operations programs Top 25%

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 $561K $554K $512K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 13.9x 12.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.8x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 39% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 57 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,250
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Purdue University-Main Campus Agricultural Production Operations graduates command $56,835/yr out of the gate, well above the $39,807 national median. That 43% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Agricultural Production Operations programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Agricultural Production Operations's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,250 in median debt clears quickly against $56,835 in annual earnings.

At #3 of 17 nationally, this is a top-5% Agricultural Production Operations program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

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

Compare this program → View all 17 schools offering Agricultural Production Operations →

Agricultural Production Operations at Other Schools

North Dakota State University-Main Campus ($62,869) Washington State University ($56,743) Utah State University ($47,297) University of Mount Olive ($41,737) Eastern Kentucky University ($40,047) University of Connecticut ($38,189) University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus ($38,189) University of Connecticut-Avery Point ($38,189)

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Science ($94,786) Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Agricultural Production Operations trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Agricultural Production Operations at Purdue University-Main Campus?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Agricultural Production Operations field.
Will AI replace Agricultural Production Operations careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $512,152 in decade earnings vs $560,611 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Purdue University-Main Campus's Agricultural Production Operations program stand out?
Ranked #3 of 17 programs nationally, Purdue University-Main Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →