Agricultural Engineering at Iowa State University

Iowa State's Agricultural Engineering program launches graduates into solid six-figure earning potential quickly, with first-year earnings of $72,376—about $7,000 above the national median for this field and placing it in the 77th percentile nationally. The $21,500 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn back their entire student loan burden in just four months of work. For a state school with an 89% acceptance rate, these are strong outcomes that make this program accessible to a wide range of students.

The modest 4% earnings growth from year one to year four deserves mention—graduates aren't seeing dramatic salary jumps early in their careers. However, the baseline salary is strong enough that this slower growth doesn't undermine the program's value. Agricultural engineering remains a specialized field with steady demand, particularly in Iowa's agriculture-heavy economy. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests reasonable confidence in these figures without the volatility you'd see with very small cohorts.

For families evaluating engineering options, this program offers a practical path: strong starting salaries, reasonable debt loads, and the stability of Iowa State's well-established agricultural programs. The combination of low financial risk and above-average earnings makes this a sound investment, especially for students interested in the intersection of technology and agriculture.