Agriculture at McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Agriculture, General
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,887/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Small (6,800 openings/yr)
ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (13.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 47 Agriculture, General programs Top 50%

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 $520K $518K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.4x 15.3x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.1x 13.0x 12.0x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 39% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,840
Out-of-state: $39,840 (13.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,028
-33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,104
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,887/yr, Agriculture graduates from McNeese State University land near the $40,365 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Agriculture programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Agriculture's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $18,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #17 of 47 Agriculture programs, McNeese State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $37,887 to $52,104 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About McNeese State University

McNeese State University accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 4,846 in Lake Charles, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at McNeese 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 McNeese State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Agriculture at McNeese State University?
A score of 41/100 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 $478,941 in decade earnings vs $519,970 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →