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Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ACES)

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

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What is Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ACES)?

Agricultural and Biological Engineering applies science and engineering to production systems. These may include agriculture, food, environment, and energy. Other areas are natural resources, environmental protection and control, and related biological systems. This major may be for you if you’re interested in sustainability or renewable fuel sources. You’ll begin this major in the College of ACES. In your junior year, you will enroll in the College of Engineering to complete the degree. 

You can choose a concentration in one of the following: Bioprocess Engineering and Industrial Biotechnology; Off-Highway Vehicle and Equipment Engineering; Renewable Energy Systems Engineering; Soil and Water Resources Engineering; Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Systems Engineering; and Synthetic Biological Engineering.

Career Options

  • Agricultural safety & technology
  • Alternative energy systems
  • Biofuels & engines
  • Bioprocess modeling
  • Crop conditioning & processing
  • Environmental controls
  • Food science
  • Government work
  • Hydrology, drainage, & irrigation
  • Project management

Post-Graduation Success1

90% employed or continuing education

55% employed after graduation

35% attending graduate school

$66,253 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Caterpillar (4), Anheuser-Busch InBev (2), Bunge North America (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Florida View All

Program Resources

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Calculus and physics preferred (if available at high school)
  • Demonstrated understanding of and interest in the engineering major selected
  • Experiences related to the major

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention2

4.0 years to degree

100% first-year retention rate

69% four-year graduation rate

97% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $18,372
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $18,884
  • Total: $42,310

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $41,444
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses:$19,224
  • Total: $65,722

International

  • Tuition: $44,688
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $19,224
  • Total: $68,966

Related Majors

1 Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

2 Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

3 "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.

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