Compare 26 Agricultural Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $83,424. Top programs: $99,600+.
Agricultural Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $57,318 and $99,600—a $42K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 26 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The school with the highest-earning graduates isn't necessarily the one with the lowest admission rate.
Cornell University leads with Agricultural Engineering graduates earning $99,600—well above the $83,424 average across all 26 programs. But the more striking story is the competition from public universities: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln produces graduates earning $96,908 despite an 87% admission rate, and the University of Maryland-College Park follows at $93,440. Accessible programs, elite outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates carry $14,000 in student debt and face just a 2.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families weighing parent loans, North Dakota State University leads: combined family debt of $37,820 produces just an 8.8% family burden—'Good' tier—the lowest family burden in the ranking. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $99,600
Strong outcomes ($96,908) with 87% acceptance
2.5% payment burden | Excellent
8.8% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $99,600 | 30 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #2 | $96,908 | 23 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Good | |
| #3 | $93,440 | 95 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Good | |
| #4 | $92,603 | 18 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #5 | $89,400 | 118 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $88,576 | 78 | $22,869 | Excellent | $25,950 | Good |
| #7 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $88,338 | 15 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Manageable |
| #8 | $88,315 | 42 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $87,564 | 41 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $86,498 | 49 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $86,306 | 85 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Good | |
| #12 | $85,393 | 37 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #13 | $85,141 | 9 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $84,848 | 37 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #15 | $84,529 | 20 | $23,199 | Excellent | $14,621 | Good | |
| #16 | $83,517 | 19 | $20,500 | Excellent | $38,513 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $82,946 | 42 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Good | |
| #18 | $81,917 | 96 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Good | |
| #19 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $81,691 | 19 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Manageable |
| #20 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $81,376 | 29 | $21,250 | Excellent | $27,283 | Manageable |
| #21 | $79,322 | 11 | $23,250 | Excellent | $18,000 | Good | |
| #22 | $78,368 | 59 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #23 | $71,715 | 5 | $20,500 | Excellent | $14,500 | Good | |
| #24 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $68,605 | 22 | $22,500 | Excellent | $30,006 | Manageable |
| #25 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $64,791 | 9 | — | — | — | — |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
