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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

93% employed or continuing education

73% employed after graduation

20% attending graduate school

$60,681 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: John Deere, Caterpillar, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Stanford University, The Ohio State University, College of Medicine 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 Guide

Graduation & Retention2

3.9 years to degree

94% first-year retention rate

58% four-year graduation rate

84% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $17,976
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,222
  • Total: $41,126

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $39,736
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses:$18,562
  • Total: $63,226

International

  • Tuition: $42,868
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,562
  • Total: $66,358

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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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