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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

6 Colleges in the United States
$23,750 Avg Student Debt
$60,325 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Badge [Agricultural Engineering](/majors/engineering/agricultural-engineering-ae/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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

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

Best Value Agricultural Engineering Schools

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 list of the best value agricultural engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $61,145. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

2

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $22,386. Agricultural Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $73,907 early in their careers. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $22,873 to complete the agricultural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $64,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for agricultural engineering. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Agricultural Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career agricultural engineering graduates make about $72,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

Students looking for strong value in agricultural engineering will find it at South Dakota State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for agricultural engineering graduates is $24,989. 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. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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