2026 Best Value Agricultural Business Schools in the Far Western Region
[Agricultural Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-business/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural business students.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Business Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural business, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Business Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fresno the best value for a degree in agricultural business in the Far Western Region. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for agricultural business graduates is $13,139. Agricultural Business graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Spokane Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural business schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for agricultural business graduates is $16,486. Early-career agricultural business graduates make about $39,679. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural business, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Agricultural Business graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Chico one of the best values for agricultural business. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the agricultural business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural business will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the agricultural business program here. Agricultural Business graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #6 position for value in agricultural business this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for agricultural business graduates is $14,500. Agricultural Business graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Oregon State University earned the #7 position for value in agricultural business this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $17,666 in student loans. Agricultural Business graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,666 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
