Agricultural Engineering at Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,095/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Medium (18,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 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 $586K $580K $535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 10.7x 9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 68% 51%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,976
Out-of-state: $142,656 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,272
-45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,057
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Oregon State University's Agricultural Engineering graduates start at $54,095/yr, trailing the $64,972 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,057 in median debt clears quickly against $54,095 in annual earnings.

At #21 out of 21 programs, Oregon State University's financial outcomes for Agricultural Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Oregon State University

A 79% acceptance rate means Oregon State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 29,557 students in Corvallis, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon 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 Oregon State University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Oregon State University's Agricultural Engineering program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Agricultural Engineering. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Agricultural Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Agricultural Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Agricultural Engineering earnings lower at Oregon State University?
Lower starting pay at Oregon State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →