Illinois’ Agricultural and Biological Engineering undergraduate program ranked no. 2 in the nation

The undergraduate program in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is now ranked no. 2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, placing it among the very best programs in the country. The program has maintained strong national recognition through the years.

“This recognition reflects the quality of our faculty, the dedication of our students, and the strong support from our alumni and donors,” said Ronaldo Maghirang, ABE department head and professor. “Our graduates are solving real problems in food security, sustainable agriculture, and environmental systems — that’s what defines our program impact.”

The ABE department —  jointly housed in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and The Grainger College of Engineering — offers students the unique advantage of drawing on the strengths of both colleges. Students benefit from world-class instruction, hands-on laboratory and field experiences, and access to interdisciplinary research institutes across campus.

“This recognition reflects the momentum we are seeing across ACES,” said College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero. “With the largest undergraduate enrollment in our college’s history, it is clear students are choosing Illinois because they want to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact. In Agricultural and Biological Engineering, they are tackling global challenges and graduating as problem-solvers and innovators ready to lead in agriculture, biotechnology, environmental systems, and beyond.”

Graduates of Illinois’ ABE undergraduate program are in high demand. About 95% of students are employed or pursuing advanced degrees within six months of graduation, with average starting salaries around $82,000. Employers include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, consulting firms, and leading research institutions. Graduates step into roles such as:

• Process engineers developing and optimizing systems for food, fuel, and bioproduct manufacturing.
   
• Water resources engineers designing solutions for irrigation, drainage, and conservation to protect natural resources.
   
• Product development engineers creating advanced agricultural machinery, sensors, and digital agriculture tools.
   
• Environmental engineers implementing technologies that reduce waste, improve sustainability, and safeguard ecosystems.

The department also offers highly ranked graduate programs, which continue to attract top students from across the globe and provide advanced training in areas such as digital agriculture, bioprocessing and industrial biotechnology, synthetic biology, water resources, and sustainable ecosystems.

Learn more about undergraduate and graduate opportunities in agricultural and biological engineering at Illinois and how to apply.