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Agricultural Mechanizationat Iowa State University

Graduates earn $63,321/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Agricultural Mechanization average. Base-case 10-year earnings $601K; scenarios range from $557K to $602K depending on AI disruption.

Ames, IA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
61 SOLID
61
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$63,321
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$601K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
25% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Iowa State University

Iowa State's strength in this field comes from its deep roots in the heart of American agriculture. You aren't just studying theory; you're immersed in the industry's ecosystem. Major equipment manufacturers like John Deere, Case IH, and Kinze actively recruit from Ames because they know graduates have hands-on experience with the complex hydraulic, GPS, and robotic systems that define modern farming. Your degree blends engineering principles with agricultural science, preparing you for roles that go beyond simple repair into systems management, sales engineering, and precision ag consulting. This direct pipeline to industry leaders is why graduate outcomes are so strong. To maximize your advantage, aggressively pursue internships with these major agricultural technology firms—your coursework will make you a prime candidate, and that experience often converts directly into a high-value, full-time offer before graduation.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$557K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple13.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$601K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$602K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple14.3x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

Career Paths

Where Agricultural Mechanization graduates typically work

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.

1
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$86,350/yr
High
2
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 11,300 openings/yr
$78,680/yr
Low
3
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 16,500 openings/yr
$63,980/yr
Low
4
Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary
+0.7% 10-yr growth · 8,800 openings/yr
$61,490/yr
Moderate
5
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians
+11.0% 10-yr growth · 3,700 openings/yr
$52,080/yr
Low
6
Agricultural equipment operators
+7.7% 10-yr growth · 10,500 openings/yr
$42,580/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Agricultural Mechanization

How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
54
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
15.5x
ROI
Top score
Sam Houston State University
TX · Public
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
17.9x
ROI
Kansas State University
KS · Public
51
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
13.4x
ROI
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
NE · Public
61
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
17.5x
ROI
Purdue University-Main Campus
IN · Public
59
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
16.0x
ROI
Also at Iowa State University

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Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Agricultural Mechanization offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Agricultural Mechanization trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Agricultural Mechanization at Iowa State University

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Agricultural Mechanization at Iowa State University?

At 61/100, Iowa State University's Agricultural Mechanization program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.