2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 43 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is South Dakota State University, our #1 best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae school in the United States. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,070. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full South Dakota State University report
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #2 on this year's best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae ranking in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $25,153. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,203. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Out of the 43 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #3 spot. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $16,420. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo alumni report median earnings of $90,768 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,420 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Out of the 43 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $21,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,386. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on Iowa State University
Out of the 43 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Purdue University Main Campus landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,424 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. University Of Wisconsin River Falls alumni report median earnings of $54,458 a decade after entry. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #7 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $26,625. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Nebraska Lincoln offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln alumni report median earnings of $56,887 a decade after entry. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,413 ten years out. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $73,792 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $29,078. Median earnings reach $44,440 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants. See the full North Carolina A And T State University profile
Kansas State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $22,873. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. That is a strong return on a $22,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read the full report on Kansas State University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #14 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
University Of Georgia landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $21,792. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $21,350. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,054. Set against $21,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Michigan State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,253. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #18 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $27,000. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
The University Of Tennessee ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $22,859 in debt. The University Of Tennessee alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Rutgers University New Brunswick alumni report median earnings of $74,479 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Cornell University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $15,502. Cornell University alumni report median earnings of $104,043 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants. More on Cornell University
Clemson University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entry. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%. Get the full Clemson University report
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $24,872 in student loans. Median earnings reach $60,409 ten years out. Set against $24,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Kentucky ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. University Of Kentucky alumni report median earnings of $59,025 a decade after entry. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky has an acceptance rate of 93%. Read more about University Of Kentucky
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Hawaii At Manoa offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $20,577. Median earnings reach $57,624 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Oregon State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in Corvallis, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Oregon State University Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,010. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants. Get the full Oregon State University report
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #28 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. More on University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #29 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. Get the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus report
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University profile
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. Get the full Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute report
University Of Arizona placed #32 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report
Indian Hills Community College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Indian Hills Community College
University Of California Davis offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Clark State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Clark State Community College profile
Brigham Young University Idaho offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Get the full Brigham Young University Idaho report
Kentucky State University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Kentucky State University
University Of Florida came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Washington State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Washington State University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Arkansas placed #42 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Arkansas
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Related Agricultural Engineering Ae Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 43 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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