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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools

25 Colleges in the United States
$22,281 Avg Student Debt
$69,896 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Agricultural Engineering School for You

The agricultural engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created 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

One Size Does Not Fit All

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.

Associate's Degrees in Agricultural Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in Agricultural Engineering
Master's Degrees in Agricultural Engineering
Doctorate Degrees in Agricultural Engineering

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural engineering schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. 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. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

3

Washington State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

4

Students looking for strong value in agricultural engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. 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.

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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #6 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $16,420. 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%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $23,500. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $67,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in agricultural engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $65,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

9

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. 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.

10

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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $61,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

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11

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #11 among the best values for agricultural engineering. 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, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

University Of Kentucky earned the #12 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $51,864 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

13

Kansas State University landed the #13 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,873 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $64,644. That is a strong return on a $22,873 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

14

Iowa State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $72,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

The University Of Tennessee landed the #15 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

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16

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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $24,872. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $62,981 early in their careers. Set against $24,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

17

South Dakota State University came in at #17 for value in agricultural engineering 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

18

Oregon State University earned the #18 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $54,095. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

19
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #19 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $65,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

20

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #20 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

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21
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #21 among the best values for agricultural engineering. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.

22

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #22 spot for agricultural engineering value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $64,486. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

23

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #23 position for value in agricultural engineering this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Agricultural Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $75,434 early in their careers. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

24

Cornell University earned the #24 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. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. 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.

25

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.

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Agricultural Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Agricultural Engineering 1,023

View All Agricultural Engineering Concentrations >

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Notes and References

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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