2026 Best Value Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations Schools in California
[Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agribusiness-agricultural-business-operations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for agribusiness/agricultural business operations students.
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2026 Best Value Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations Schools
College Of The Sequoias earned the #1 spot for value among agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools in California. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Reedley College one of the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations will find it at Hartnell College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agribusiness/agricultural business operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $9,024. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Woodland Community College landed the #6 spot for agribusiness/agricultural business operations value this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, compared with $7,656 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,042.
Butte College earned the #7 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College came in at #8 for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College earned the #9 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
California State University Fresno earned the #10 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $13,139. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $50,100 early in their careers. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bakersfield College landed the #11 spot for agribusiness/agricultural business operations value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #12 spot for agribusiness/agricultural business operations value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Feather River Community College District placed #13 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Feather River Community College District is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,465, with out-of-state students paying around $10,435. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Hills College Coalinga landed the #14 spot for agribusiness/agricultural business operations value this year. Located in the town of Coalinga, West Hills College Coalinga is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,954. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $41,726. That is a strong return on a $9,920 median debt.
Modesto Junior College earned the #15 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $8,575. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #16 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Cuesta College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $18,958. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $64,492. That is a strong return on a $18,958 median debt.
California State University Chico came in at #18 for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $47,937. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #19 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $52,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
