Agricultural Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's Agricultural Engineering program produces graduates who earn slightly below the national median—$63,000 versus $65,400 in the first year—but that's largely because agricultural engineering salaries vary dramatically by region and industry sector. The manageable debt load of about $25,000 is actually below the national median for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 that most families would find comfortable. Within Ohio specifically, this program sits right at the state median, which makes sense given it's the only agricultural engineering bachelor's program in the state.

The 7% earnings growth over four years is modest but typical for engineering fields where graduates often start near their plateau salary. At $67,565 by year four, these graduates are earning solid middle-class incomes with room to advance as they gain experience and specialization. The relatively low debt burden means graduates have flexibility to take positions in food production, equipment manufacturing, or environmental engineering without being forced into the highest-paying roles just to service loans.

For Ohio families, this is a straightforward value proposition: you're getting an accredited engineering degree from a flagship university with below-average debt. The earnings won't break records, but paired with that manageable loan balance, graduates can start their careers without financial strain. If your child is genuinely interested in agricultural systems and food production, this program delivers practical training at a reasonable cost.