Agricultural Engineeringat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $72,376/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Agricultural Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $691K; scenarios range from $618K to $706K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State's Agricultural Engineering program consistently ranks among the nation's best, a testament to its deep roots in a critical industry. As a leading land-grant institution in the heart of a major agricultural state, the university fosters unparalleled connections with employers across the Midwest and beyond. You'll benefit from robust recruiting pipelines directly into companies innovating in precision agriculture, bioenergy, food processing, and environmental management. This regional demand and the program's strong reputation for producing job-ready engineers significantly contribute to graduates' strong earning potential. While AI is rapidly advancing in agriculture, your expertise in designing, implementing, and managing these complex systems — from robotics in fields to data analytics for crop yield — remains indispensable. To maximize your success, actively pursue internships and co-op opportunities; these experiences are crucial for building your professional network and securing top roles upon graduation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Iowa State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Agricultural Engineering
How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Iowa State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Agricultural Engineering at Iowa State University
What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Agricultural Engineering at Iowa State University?
At 68/100, Iowa State University's Agricultural Engineering program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Agricultural Engineering at Iowa State University?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Iowa State University one of the best schools for Agricultural Engineering?
Among 21 Agricultural Engineering programs, Iowa State University's #5 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.