URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The U of I’s undergraduate program in Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) is ranked No. 2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, solidifying its place among the country’s top programs.
“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, department head and ABE professor. “Our graduates are solving real problems in food security, sustainable agriculture, and environmental systems — that’s what defines our program impact.”
The program is housed jointly in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the Grainger College of Engineering, offering students hands-on experiences and access to interdisciplinary research. Graduates have a 95% employment or graduate school rate within six months and start with average 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.
“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.”