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Agriculture · Agricultural Mechanization Rank #2 of 10

Agricultural Mechanizationat University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Graduates earn $59,052/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Agricultural Mechanization average. Base-case 10-year earnings $615K; scenarios range from $569K to $616K depending on AI disruption.

Lincoln, NE Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
61 SOLID
61
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$59,052
1-year post-graduation
ROI
17.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$615K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
25% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Nebraska

While the career paths listed may seem traditional, your degree is rooted in the future of agriculture. Nebraska is a global hub for "Big Ag," and UNL's program is deeply embedded in that ecosystem. You won't just be learning to fix a tractor; you'll be mastering the complex robotics, GPS-guided systems, and data networks that run modern, industrial-scale farming operations. This direct pipeline to industry giants like John Deere, Case IH, and Lindsay Corporation explains the strong earning potential. Your skills are in high demand because there are so few programs that produce them. To maximize your value, focus your internships on precision agriculture or autonomous systems—this will position you at the forefront of the industry, not just as a mechanic, but as a technology manager, making you indispensable.

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
$569K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple14.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$615K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple15.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$616K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple15.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Nebraska'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 University of Nebraska 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
Iowa State University
IA · Public
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
16.4x
ROI
Kansas State University
KS · Public
51
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
13.4x
ROI
Purdue University-Main Campus
IN · Public
59
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
16.0x
ROI
Also at University of Nebraska

Other top programs at University of Nebraska

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nebraska, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Agricultural Mechanization at University of Nebraska

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Agricultural Mechanization at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

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

Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln one of the best schools for Agricultural Mechanization?

Among 10 Agricultural Mechanization programs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.