Agricultural Production Operations at Black Hawk College

Graduates of the Agricultural Production Operations program at Black Hawk College can expect a positive earnings trajectory over time. The median earnings one year after graduation stand at $35,391, which increases to $53,696 five years later, and reaches $62,818 after ten years. When adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary aligns with a national equivalent of $58,492.37, indicating that graduates maintain a competitive financial standing relative to their peers across the country, despite the cost of living index in Illinois being slightly lower than the national average.

The primary industries that graduates enter predominantly include Health Care & Social Assistance, with significant percentages of graduates finding employment in this sector. The breakdown shows 48.3%, 28.4%, and 24.8% of graduates entering various roles within this industry. Considering the estimated break-even point of approximately 11 years compared to a high school-only path, the return on investment for pursuing this program appears favorable, particularly as graduates benefit from both increased earnings and diverse job opportunities in a growing field.