Cheapest Agricultural Engineering Colleges

Agricultural Engineering programs show remarkable cost variation, with the University of Florida delivering top-tier education for just $6,351 net annually while some programs exceed $17,000. This $10,000+ gap reflects different state funding models and regional priorities. The Southeast emerges as a particularly affordable region, with Florida and North Carolina offering strong programs under $11,000. These savings matter significantly given that Agricultural Engineers typically earn $46,478 to $73,164 after graduation. The profession addresses critical national food security challenges, with the USDA projecting 57,900 annual job openings in food, agriculture, and related fields through 2030. Many graduates find work with major agricultural corporations like Cargill, ADM, and John Deere, or pursue roles in sustainable farming technology development. Public universities dominate affordable options, though BYU-Idaho offers competitive private pricing at $7,131.

Programs

$6,351 – $32,337

Net Price Range

$57,143

Avg. Program Earnings

74.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

37 Agricultural Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
2	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, Idaho	$7,131	$4,656	55.1%	95.6%
3	North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, North Carolina	$10,980	$6,748	55.3%	56.4%
4	University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Mayaguez, Puerto Rico	$12,684	$5,274	47.0%	54.4%
5	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, Hawaii	$13,181	$12,186	62.6%	72.8%
6	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
7	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
8	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
9	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
10	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
11	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
12	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$15,201	$16,004	84.9%	44.8%
13	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
14	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$15,624	$11,075	85.2%	30.4%
15	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida	$15,847	$5,785	51.9%	32.9%
16	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$16,334	$10,857	63.7%	95.7%
17	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, Oklahoma	$16,378	$10,234	65.9%	70.6%
18	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
19	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
20	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
21	University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky	$17,218	$13,212	69.9%	94.9%
22	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
23	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
24	Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas	$17,883	$10,942	70.5%	95.1%
25	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, New York	$17,980	$8,676	40.9%	84.0%
26	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
27	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
28	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$18,219	$9,299	59.6%	86.1%
29	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
30	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
31	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$20,751	$15,988	82.2%	88.0%
32	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
33	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$22,112	$15,554	87.9%	43.0%
34	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
35	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	$23,790	$15,478	86.3%	57.0%
36	California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, California	$26,433	$50,670	74.0%	87.2%
37	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$32,337	$66,014	95.1%	7.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida's Agricultural Engineering program so affordable compared to others?

Florida residents pay just $6,381 in tuition while the net cost averages $6,351 after financial aid. The state provides substantial funding for agricultural programs given Florida's $137 billion agriculture industry. The program maintains a 91.5% graduation rate despite the low cost. Florida's investment reflects the economic importance of agriculture to the state economy.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs?

University of Maryland graduates earn $73,164 annually despite a $15,590 net cost, while University of Florida graduates earn $46,478 at just $6,351 net cost. This creates different return on investment scenarios for students. Maryland's higher earnings reflect proximity to federal agricultural agencies and biotechnology companies. The $26,686 earnings difference may justify Maryland's $9,239 higher annual cost for some students.

Is BYU-Idaho's Agricultural Engineering program worth considering for non-LDS students?

BYU-Idaho charges $7,131 net cost with a 95.56% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants. However, the 55.1% graduation rate ranks among the lowest on this list. Non-LDS students pay higher tuition, though exact amounts vary. The program emphasizes hands-on learning but may not suit students seeking research opportunities.

Does choosing a less expensive program affect job prospects after graduation?

Agricultural Engineering employers typically prioritize ABET accreditation and technical skills over school prestige. University of Florida graduates find positions at major companies despite the program's low cost. Geographic location often matters more, with California graduates accessing Silicon Valley agtech startups. The $20,000 to $22,735 debt levels at affordable programs help graduates accept entry-level positions without financial pressure.

Where do most Agricultural Engineering graduates find employment after these programs?

Government agencies like the USDA and state departments of agriculture hire extensively from public university programs. Private employers include equipment manufacturers like John Deere and Caterpillar, plus food processing companies. California programs connect students to agtech startups in precision agriculture and sustainable farming. Regional agricultural cooperatives also recruit from nearby university programs, creating strong local job pipelines.

More Agricultural Engineering Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.