[Agricultural Engineering](/majors/engineering/agricultural-engineering-ae/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value agricultural engineering schools.
Finding the Best Value Agricultural Engineering School for You
Where you study agricultural engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,350 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $72,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #4 place for agricultural engineering. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,420 in student loans. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $72,713. That is a strong return on a $16,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $69,848. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $67,281. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $61,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,872 in student loans. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $62,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,872 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #10 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $23,500. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $67,746. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $65,494. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Iowa State University placed #12 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $72,376 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. 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. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #14 spot for agricultural engineering value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,873 in student loans. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $64,644. Set against $22,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University earned the #15 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $54,095. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Michigan State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. 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. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $74,655 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #18 among the best values for agricultural engineering. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University placed #19 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $64,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #21 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. 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. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Cornell University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $15,502. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $54,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $62,382. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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).
[Agricultural Engineering](/majors/engineering/agricultural-engineering-ae/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
