Agricultural Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Agricultural engineering is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field focused on solving complex challenges in food, feed, and fiber systems through innovative design and technological advancement. This program equips students with the analytical and technical skills needed to develop sustainable, efficient solutions across the entire agricultural lifecycle—from farm to market.
- Biological Systems Engineering: Applies engineering principles to biological processes, optimizing systems that support plant and animal production in natural and controlled environments.
- Soil and Water Management: Focuses on the design and implementation of sustainable systems for irrigation, drainage, and conservation to protect natural resources and enhance agricultural productivity.
- Renewable Energy Integration: Explores the development and application of alternative energy sources—such as solar, wind, and bioenergy—in agricultural operations to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency.
- Food and Feed Processing Technology: Involves the design of equipment and systems for the safe, efficient, and scalable processing, preservation, and packaging of agricultural products.
- Agri-Facility Design and Automation: Covers the planning, construction, and automation of agricultural buildings and infrastructure, including greenhouses, livestock housing, and smart farming systems.
- Aquaculture Systems Engineering: Addresses the engineering of controlled aquatic environments for fish and shellfish production, emphasizing water quality, system efficiency, and sustainability.
- Forestry and Biomass Engineering: Applies engineering methodologies to forest resource management, timber harvesting, and the conversion of biomass into energy and bioproducts.
- Human and Natural Resource Systems: Examines the interaction between technology, ecosystems, and human behavior to promote sustainable land use and responsible stewardship of natural capital.
Agricultural Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Agricultural Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Agricultural Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary and Agricultural Engineers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 251,930 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
| Agricultural Engineers 17-2021 | $84,630 | $43,020 - $132,700 | 1,680 | $40.69 |
Agricultural Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $98,613 in Arkansas to $165,475 in California—a 68% difference. The highest-paying states include California, North Carolina, and New Mexico. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 251,930 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Agricultural Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 37 institutions offering Agricultural Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Agricultural Engineering is found at Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (124 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (90 graduates), University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (88 graduates), Iowa State University (ISU) (58 graduates), and Michigan State University (MSU) (54 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,090 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
124 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
90 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
88 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
46 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
45 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
44 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
42 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
35 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
30 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | famu.edu |
| Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute |
Associate's
|
2 | Wooster, Ohio | Public | ati.osu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | River Falls, Wisconsin | Public | uwrf.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
1 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAPB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Public | uapb.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Clark State College |
Associate's
|
1 | Springfield, Ohio | Public | clarkstate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Agricultural Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Agricultural Engineering degree?
Salaries for Agricultural Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $106,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $165,475 compared to $98,613 in Arkansas. Approximately 251,930 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Agricultural Engineering programs?
Currently 37 accredited institutions offer Agricultural Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (124 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (90 graduates), and University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (88 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Agricultural Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,182 in 2010 to a peak of 1,561 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,090 in 2023-24. This represents a 8% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Agricultural Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, and Agricultural Engineers. Related occupations employ approximately 251,930 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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