Agriculture at Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Agriculture, General
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,994/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Small (6,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 47 Agriculture, General programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

While the numbers look strong, they don't fully capture Texas State's unique position. Your earning potential is directly tied to the university’s deep connections within the massive Texas agricultural economy. This isn't just about farming; graduates are aggressively recruited by corporate giants like H-E-B for supply chain management, by state agencies in nearby Austin for policy and conservation roles, and by the booming food science sector across the I-35 corridor. The program's strength lies in its versatility, preparing you for both the scientific and business sides of the industry. The high AI risk score reflects the automation of routine tasks, not the elimination of jobs that require human oversight, research, and management. To maximize your value, focus on gaining hands-on research experience at the Freeman Center or securing an internship with a major agribusiness firm before you graduate.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Agriculture graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $565K $559K $509K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 12.2x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.0x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 39% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,800
Out-of-state: $92,840 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,752
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,469
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,972
38% growth from Year 1

About Texas State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Texas State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 34,547 students in San Marcos, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas State University →

Top Career Paths

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr
Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr
Animal scientists $79,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Agriculture at Other Schools

Other Majors at Texas State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Agriculture at Texas State University?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Agriculture. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Agriculture careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $509,260 in decade earnings vs $565,093 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Texas State University's Agriculture program stand out?
Ranked #6 of 47 programs nationally, Texas State University 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 →