[Agricultural Engineering](/majors/engineering/agricultural-engineering-ae/agricultural-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural engineering students.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
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. 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.
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.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. 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. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for agricultural engineering. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $21,350. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $62,032. Set against $21,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #6 among the best values 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, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,420 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $72,713 early in their careers. Set against $16,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $67,746. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $65,494. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #9 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. 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 landed the #10 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 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 University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $61,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #11 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $73,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky came in at #12 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #13 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $22,873. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $64,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University earned the #14 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $72,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $62,981. That is a strong return on a $24,872 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
South Dakota State University landed the #17 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Oregon State University came in at #18 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. 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. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $54,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #19 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $65,396. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #20 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $18,000. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $74,655. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Clemson University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #22 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #23 for value in agricultural engineering 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $26,625. 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. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Cornell University came in at #24 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $15,502. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $54,435 early in their careers. Set against $15,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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/agricultural-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural engineering education at a price that pays off.
