Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $72,376 at Iowa State University come in 11% above the national median of $64,972 for Agricultural Engineering programs.
With a 16.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Agricultural Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $72,376 far exceeding the $20,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Iowa State University ranks #5 among 21 Agricultural Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $72,376 to $77,659 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.