Agricultural Production Operations at University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,167/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (132,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 17 Agricultural Production Operations programs Top 50%

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 $521K $519K $483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.9x 9.8x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 39% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 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)
$52,848
Out-of-state: $133,624 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,872
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,426
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,167/yr, roughly in line with the $39,807 national median for Agricultural Production Operations. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 9.8x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 38% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,500 debt-to-$35,167 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #6 out of 17 programs, University of Kentucky's Agricultural Production Operations offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,167 to $51,426 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 23,189 students in Lexington, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Kentucky →

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

Agricultural Production Operations at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Kentucky

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

How does University of Kentucky's Agricultural Production Operations program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Agricultural Production Operations. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Agricultural Production Operations to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Agricultural Production Operations careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 38% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →