2027 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools
[Agricultural Engineering](/majors/engineering/agricultural-engineering-ae/agricultural-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value Agricultural Engineering School for You
Where you study agricultural engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in agricultural engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for agricultural engineering. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $21,350. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $62,032 early in their careers. Set against $21,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for agricultural engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $72,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $16,420. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $72,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned it the #5 place for agricultural engineering. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #6 for value in agricultural engineering this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $22,500. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $69,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #7 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Agricultural Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $67,281 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $61,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $62,981. That is a strong return on a $24,872 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #10 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $23,500. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $67,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $65,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #12 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $72,376. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #13 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $51,864. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #14 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $22,873. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $64,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Oregon State University came in at #15 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $54,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #16 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $65,396. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #17 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $74,655. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University landed the #18 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Clemson University came in at #19 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $23,783. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #20 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $64,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #21 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $75,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Cornell University earned the #22 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,502 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $54,435. That is a strong return on a $15,502 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $62,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
