Best colleges for Agricultural Mechanization in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Lake Land College, Parkland College and Illinois Central College award the most Agricultural Mechanization degrees and certificates in Illinois: 42, 27 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Illinois colleges offer Agricultural Mechanization and award 149 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Agricultural Mechanization program focuses on the integration of machinery into agricultural practices, transitioning from manual labor to machine-assisted processes. This program is ideal for students interested in enhancing…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Land College Mattoon Public · Associate degree | $53,448 | 42 | 58% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Agricultural Mechanization degrees in Illinois
Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Land College Mattoon Public | 42 | $53,448 |
| 2 | Parkland College Champaign Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 3 | Illinois Central College East Peoria Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 4 | John Wood Community College Quincy Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 5 | Kishwaukee College Malta Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | Spoon River College Canton Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Rend Lake College Ina Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Black Hawk College Moline Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Agricultural Mechanization
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 6 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Agricultural Equipment Operators (SOC 45-2091).
Top skills
What Agricultural Equipment Operators earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Agricultural Mechanization programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Agricultural Mechanization degrees?+
Lake Land College (42 graduates a year), Parkland College (27 graduates a year) and Illinois Central College (19 graduates a year) award the most Agricultural Mechanization degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Illinois colleges offer Agricultural Mechanization.
Which Agricultural Mechanization program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Lake Land College tops the list at $53,448. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Agricultural Equipment Operators earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Illinois is $47,230 (median $46,050), across about 1,910 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Agricultural Mechanization program?+
The Agricultural Mechanization program focuses on the integration of machinery into agricultural practices, transitioning from manual labor to machine-assisted processes. This program is ideal for students interested in enhancing…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Agricultural Equipment Operators?+
The national job outlook is about +7.7% growth with around 10,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A No formal educational credential is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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