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.
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.
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 Mechanization
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.
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 →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.