Compare 11 Agricultural Engineering. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $69,284.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Agricultural Engineering tells a different story. Across 11 programs, earnings range from $54,619 to $77,760—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Purdue University-Main Campus's Agricultural Engineering program leads with graduates earning $77,760, well above the $69,284 average. North Dakota State follows closely at $76,232, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign rounds out the top three at $76,124—demonstrating that program strength varies independently of institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Purdue graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 4.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, North Dakota State leads with a 10.2% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $77,760
Strong outcomes with 50% acceptance
4.8% payment burden | Excellent
10.2% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $77,760 | 83 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $76,232 | 15 | $23,199 | Excellent | $14,621 | Good | |
| #3 | $76,124 | 108 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $75,259 | 76 | $22,869 | Excellent | $25,950 | Manageable |
| #5 | $72,632 | 61 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $70,905 | 41 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $67,984 | 53 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $67,565 | 125 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $67,324 | 16 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $55,718 | 38 | $21,250 | Good | $27,283 | Challenging |
| #11 | $54,619 | 7 | $20,500 | Good | $14,500 | Manageable |
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 →
