Program Analysis
Graduates earn $57,627/yr, roughly in line with the $64,972 national median for Agricultural Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 18.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 10% 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 $57,627 far exceeding the $22,735 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #13 ranking among 21 Agricultural Engineering programs places University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $57,627 to $66,809 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.