Compare 8 Agricultural Engineering. programs in the South. Average earnings: $77,244.
With top graduates earning $88,252, Agricultural Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $11K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Maryland-College Park leads with Agricultural Engineering graduates earning $88,252, well above the $77,244 regional average. Close behind, the University of Georgia ($84,833) and University of Kentucky ($84,831) demonstrate that state flagships compete effectively in specialized engineering fields regardless of overall rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Maryland graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 4.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Georgia leads with a 9.4% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $88,252 | 117 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #2 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $84,833 | 7 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Good |
| #3 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $84,831 | 24 | $22,500 | Excellent | $30,006 | Manageable |
| #4 | $75,787 | 49 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #5 | $73,787 | 54 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $73,072 | 22 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Manageable |
| #7 | $71,893 | 41 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $65,494 | 29 | $20,500 | Excellent | $38,513 | Challenging |
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 →
