Agricultural Engineering at University of Kentucky

The small sample size here demands caution, but Kentucky's Agricultural Engineering graduates show a concerning pattern: first-year earnings of $52,000 trail the national median by over $13,000, landing this program in just the 5th percentile nationally. While Kentucky has only one program to compare against (making the 60th state percentile meaningless), that $13,000 gap matters when you're competing for jobs in a national market. The debt load is manageable at $19,500, but graduates are effectively subsidizing below-market early earnings.

The 64% earnings jump to $85,000 by year four suggests the degree eventually delivers, but that's a long runway. Many agricultural engineering grads at peer institutions start near $65,000 and climb from there—this program asks students to accept thousands less in those critical first years when young professionals are establishing themselves financially. With only 37 schools nationwide offering this major, students have genuine alternatives that start stronger.

For families where Kentucky's in-state tuition makes this financially feasible and the student is committed to agricultural engineering specifically, the eventual earnings justify the investment. But if your child qualifies for comparable aid elsewhere or isn't certain about the field, programs that don't require a four-year wait to reach competitive salaries deserve serious consideration.