Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
63
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,396/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Medium (18,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #11 of 21 Agricultural Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Agricultural Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $751K $733K $649K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.5x 10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.2x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 68% 51%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 63 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,000
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,288
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $65,396/yr, Agricultural Engineering graduates from Michigan State University land near the $64,972 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Agricultural Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Agricultural Engineering's typical career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $28,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #11 of 21 Agricultural Engineering programs, Michigan State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $65,396 to $81,288 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Michigan State University

With 84% of applicants admitted, Michigan State University prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 40,243 students in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
Agricultural engineers $84,630/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Michigan State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University?
This program scores 63/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Agricultural Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Agricultural Engineering careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $648,986 in decade earnings vs $751,220 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →