2026 Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 43 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found North Dakota State University Main Campus to be the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae school 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, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,203. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%. Read more about South Dakota State University
Out of the 43 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas A And M University College Station landed the #3 spot. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. 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. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on this year's best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae ranking in the United States. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based 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. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $20,000. Median earnings reach $72,424 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Iowa State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants. Get the full Iowa State University report
Cornell University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $15,502 in debt. Cornell University alumni report median earnings of $104,043 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,502 median debt. Cornell University has an acceptance rate of 9%. More on Cornell University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #8 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 average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $26,625. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University alumni report median earnings of $81,698 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of California Davis came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,838 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Kansas State University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $22,873 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants. More on Kansas State University
University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%. Get the full University Of Florida report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,413 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Georgia came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. Read more about University Of Georgia
Washington State University landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $21,903. Median earnings reach $68,905 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants. Read the full report on Washington State University
Clemson University placed #15 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Clemson University Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,513. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants. Read the full report on Clemson University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $21,350 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,054 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $27,000. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Michigan State University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Agricultural Engineering Ae students take on a median of $28,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants. Read more about Michigan State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete their Agricultural Engineering Ae program here. Median earnings reach $57,624 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
University Of Kentucky placed #22 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median Agricultural Engineering Ae program debt is $19,500. Median earnings reach $59,025 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants. More on University Of Kentucky
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical Agricultural Engineering Ae student debt is $24,872. Ohio State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $60,409 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile
Kentucky State University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Kentucky State University profile
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Oregon State University placed #26 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. More on Oregon State University
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
The University Of Tennessee came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. See the full Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University profile
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls report
University Of Arkansas ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. Get the full University Of Arkansas report
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of California Berkeley
Indian Hills Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Get the full Indian Hills Community College report
University Of Arizona placed #38 among the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Engineering Ae schools. More on Brigham Young University Idaho
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
North Carolina A And T State University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full North Carolina A And T State University profile
Clark State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Clark State Community College report
Related Agricultural Engineering Ae Value Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Engineering Ae Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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