Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's Agricultural Engineering program produces graduates who immediately command $74,655—nearly $10,000 above the national median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. The $18,000 median debt is also well below the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24. For context, that means graduates owe roughly three months' salary, which most finance experts would consider excellent. This is the only program of its kind in Texas, and A&M clearly dominates this specialized field at the national level.

The slight earnings dip from year one to year four deserves mention but shouldn't overshadow the strong fundamentals. Graduates still earn over $71,000 four years out, and the initial decline could reflect industry-specific factors rather than program weakness—perhaps graduates start in higher-paying consulting roles before moving into management positions that take time to scale up. The 60th percentile state ranking is somewhat misleading given the sample represents just one program.

For families weighing engineering specializations, this program offers immediate market value with manageable debt. The combination of low borrowing and strong starting salaries means graduates enter the workforce with real financial flexibility—a significant advantage over peers in programs with similar earnings but twice the debt burden.