Best colleges for Agricultural Engineering
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Agricultural Engineering by graduate earnings are Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($75,434), Texas A&M University - College Station ($74,655) and California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($72,713), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA): $75,434, 61 graduates a year
- Texas A&M University - College Station (College Station, TX): $74,655, 57 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $72,713, 22 graduates a year
- Iowa State University (Ames, IA): $72,376, 66 graduates a year
- Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN): $72,168, 136 graduates a year
Compare 36 U.S. colleges offering Agricultural Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 32 states.
Agricultural Engineering programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $65,396 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.03 and the Agricultural Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Agricultural Engineering programs
Agricultural Engineering, also known as agricultural and biosystems engineering, focuses on the application of engineering principles to agricultural practices. This program integrates various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, civil, electrical, and environmental engineering, to enhance the efficiency of farms and agribusinesses while promoting sustainability of natural resources.
Students in Agricultural Engineering develop core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and mathematics. They gain knowledge in engineering technologies, design principles, and biological systems, preparing them for hands-on coursework that includes preparing reports, testing agricultural machinery, and consulting with clients.
Top 21 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,434 | 61 | 86% | — | $26,625 |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,655 | 57 | 84% | — | $18,000 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,713 | 22 | 86% | — | $16,420 |
| 4 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,376 | 66 | 75% | — | $21,500 |
| 5 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,168 | 136 | 83% | — | $20,000 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,746 | 39 | 90% | — | $23,500 |
| 7 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,281 | 54 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,494 | 24 | 68% | — | $16,500 |
| 9 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,396 | 60 | 81% | — | $28,000 |
| 10 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,644 | 32 | 71% | — | $22,873 |
| 11 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,486 | 21 | 84% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,981 | 73 | 88% | — | $24,872 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,382 | 27 | 86% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,032 | 96 | 85% | — | $21,350 |
| 15 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,145 | 37 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
| 16 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,435 | 26 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,502 |
| 17 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,095 | 39 | 70% | — | $25,000 |
| 18 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,864 | 23 | 71% | — | $19,500 |
| 19 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $73,907 | 14 | 67% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $69,848 | 16 | 89% | — | $22,500 |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $57,627 | 2 | 57% | — | $23,000 |
Specializations within Agricultural Engineering
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 32 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2021, Agricultural Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Agricultural Engineering can expect a promising job outlook, with a growth rate of 5.9% and approximately 100 annual openings. The typical career requires a Bachelor's degree, and the median wage for professionals in this field is $84,630.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Agricultural Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.03 (Agricultural Engineering) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2021 | Agricultural Engineersprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Agricultural Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
- Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
- Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
- Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
- Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
- Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
Common questions
What is Agricultural Engineering?+
Agricultural Engineering combines engineering principles with agricultural practices to improve efficiency and sustainability.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, mathematics, and knowledge of engineering technologies.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.9% and about 100 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for Agricultural Engineers?+
The median wage for Agricultural Engineers is $84,630.
How much do Agricultural Engineering graduates earn?+
Agricultural Engineering graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $65,396, College Scorecard (2019); the Agricultural Engineers occupation pays about $108,230 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Agricultural Engineering?+
Agricultural Engineering maps to CIP 14.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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