Illinois’ agricultural and biological engineering undergraduate program ranked No. 4 by U.S. News
The undergraduate program in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earned the No. 4 spot in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings, continuing its longstanding place among the nation’s leading agricultural and biological engineering programs.
Illinois’ ABE is also ranked No. 4 nationally for the 2026 Best Graduate School, placing both its undergraduate and graduate programs among the top five in the country. Since 2004, the undergraduate program has ranked in the top 5 almost every year, including multiple No. 1 rankings.
Housed in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences with close ties to The Grainger College of Engineering, ABE gives undergraduate students access to the strengths and resources of both colleges. Students pair a rigorous engineering education with hands-on learning, research, and opportunities to apply their skills to challenges in agriculture, food, energy, water, the environment, and biotechnology.
“We’re proud to be consistently recognized among the nation’s top programs, but what matters most is the experience we provide our students,” said Ronaldo Maghirang, ABE department head and professor. “From their first year at Illinois, students have opportunities to learn by doing — working alongside faculty, conducting research, designing solutions, and gaining the technical and professional skills they need to build successful careers.”
Career paths include process engineering in food, fuel, and bioproduct manufacturing; water resources and environmental engineering; development of agricultural machinery, sensors, and digital technologies; and engineering solutions that improve sustainability and protect natural resources. Employers include major companies, government agencies, consulting firms, and leading research institutions.
A hallmark of the Illinois ABE experience, Maghirang said, is the opportunity for undergraduates to work closely with faculty who bring students into research, provide mentorship, and help them explore where their interests can lead. “Those relationships extend beyond the classroom, with students here gaining hands-on experience in laboratories and research projects, design competitions, internships, multidisciplinary teams, and student organizations.”
In 2026, the Illini Pullers — a student team advised by ABE faculty and staff — took first place among 24 teams from the U.S. and Canada in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. Students spend the year designing, building, testing, and refining a quarter-scale tractor, gaining practical experience in engineering design, manufacturing, project management, budgeting, and teamwork.
“At ACES, students get the best of both worlds: the opportunities and resources of a world-class university and a college community where people know them and are invested in their success,” said College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero. “Agricultural and Biological Engineering exemplifies what that can mean for a student. They graduate with more than a degree — they leave Illinois with experience, relationships, and a network that prepares them to build meaningful careers and make an impact.”
Learn more about undergraduate and graduate opportunities in agricultural and biological engineering at Illinois and how to apply.