2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

For return on investment in agricultural engineering, no school beat University Of Minnesota Twin Cities this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $61,145. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

Students looking for strong value in agricultural engineering will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #2. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Students looking for strong value in agricultural engineering will find it at Kansas State University, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $22,873. 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.

4

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. 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, 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. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

A rank of #5 makes South Dakota State University one of the best values for agricultural engineering. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.