Agricultural Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,981/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Medium (18,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #14 of 21 Agricultural Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Agricultural Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $676K $663K $597K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 12.9x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 68% 51%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,436
Out-of-state: $153,460 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,744
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,572
15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $62,981/yr, roughly in line with the $64,972 national median for Agricultural Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 12.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Agricultural Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $62,981 far exceeding the $24,744 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #14 ranking among 21 Agricultural Engineering programs places Ohio State University-Main Campus in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $62,981 to $72,572 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

A 51% admission rate makes Ohio State University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 44,617 in Columbus, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio State University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
Agricultural engineers $84,630/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Agricultural Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
At 62/100, the score looks reasonable — but Agricultural Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Agricultural Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →