Compare 24 Agricultural Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $71,881. Top programs: $88,538+.
Agricultural Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $65,494 and $88,538—a $23K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 24 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Cornell University's Agricultural Engineering program leads with graduates earning $88,538, followed closely by University of Maryland-College Park at $88,252. The average across all programs is $71,881, yet these top performers show how specific program strength drives outcomes—Cornell's 32-graduate cohort and Maryland's larger 117-student program both deliver premium results.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, University of Georgia leads with a 9.4% family burden, proving that the best financial choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $88,538 | 32 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #2 | $88,252 | 117 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #3 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $84,833 | 7 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Good |
| #4 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $84,831 | 24 | $22,500 | Excellent | $30,006 | Manageable |
| #5 | $77,884 | 39 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $77,760 | 83 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $76,232 | 15 | $23,199 | Excellent | $14,621 | Good | |
| #8 | $76,124 | 108 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $75,787 | 49 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #10 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $75,259 | 76 | $22,869 | Excellent | $25,950 | Manageable |
| #11 | $73,787 | 54 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $73,303 | 49 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Challenging | |
| #13 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $73,072 | 22 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Manageable |
| #14 | $72,632 | 61 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $71,893 | 41 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $70,905 | 41 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $67,984 | 53 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $67,565 | 125 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $67,324 | 16 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $65,494 | 29 | $20,500 | Excellent | $38,513 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $57,318 | 18 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #22 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $55,718 | 38 | $21,250 | Good | $27,283 | Challenging |
| #23 | $54,619 | 7 | $20,500 | Good | $14,500 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $48,041 | 22 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
