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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

22 Colleges in the United States
$22,864 Avg Student Debt
$68,856 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Bachelor's Degree Badge [Agricultural Engineering](/majors/engineering/agricultural-engineering-ae/agricultural-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agricultural engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 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

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for agricultural engineering in the United States. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. 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%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for agricultural engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for agricultural engineering. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $69,848 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

4

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. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. 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. Agricultural Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $72,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,420 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #5 place for agricultural engineering. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

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Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #7 among the best values for agricultural engineering. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $25,000. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $67,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #8 among the best values for agricultural engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Kentucky came in at #9 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

10

Kansas State University placed #10 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

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Iowa State University earned the #11 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. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $72,376. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

12

The University Of Tennessee landed the #12 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

13

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $62,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

14

South Dakota State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. 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. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.

15

Oregon State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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16
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #16 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $28,000. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $65,396. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

17

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #17 for value in agricultural engineering 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. 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.

18
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #18 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.

19

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #19 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $64,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

20

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $75,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

Other Agricultural Engineering Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Agricultural Engineering rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Agricultural Engineering
Associate's Degrees in Agricultural Engineering
Master's Degrees in Agricultural Engineering
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View All Agricultural Engineering Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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