DOES UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR MATTER? DIFFERENCES IN SALARIES AND SATISFACTION LEVELS OF AGRIBUSINESS AND AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS MAJORS AT KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

This research compares and contrasts the college and career experiences of graduates of the Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics undergraduate degree programs at Kansas State University. Using survey data, salary models were estimated for both majors. Starting salaries were not statistically different across majors, whereas current salaries were significantly higher for Agricultural Economics graduates. Alumni of both majors were found to be mobile and enjoy a high degree of satisfaction with their college and career experiences. Agribusiness majors were more likely to supervise employees and be more satisfied with working conditions than Agricultural Economics graduates.