Bachelor's · Amherst, Massachusetts

Is Agricultural Production Operations at University of Massachusetts-Amherst worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Graduates typically don't earn back the cost within 20 years, compared with the no-degree baseline.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$34,558
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$45,672
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$22,325
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$97k (likely $97k – $100k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$2k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in MA
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
Not within 20 years in most scenarios
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$291k (likely −$366k – −$203k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
−$232k (likely −$395k – −$37k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
81%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Borrowers making progress / in default, 2 years in
not reported / ≤ 20%
NSLDS AY2016-17, AY2017-18 pooled cohorts measured in 2018-19, 2019-20

Change income, residency or loans Compare Agricultural Production Operations at other schools

🌱 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward animals, plants & the planet majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Biology
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Statistics

IB Higher Level

  • Biology HL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.