2026 Best Value Agricultural Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Agricultural Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-business/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural business students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Agricultural Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural business degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Business Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in agricultural business in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black Hawk College earned it the #2 place for agricultural business. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
John Wood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural business, landing the #3 spot this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Students borrow a median of $13,844 to complete the agricultural business program here. Early-career agricultural business graduates make about $45,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural business, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College generally make around $25,842. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt.
Kaskaskia College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural business schools. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career agricultural business graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College placed #6 among the best values for agricultural business. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University came in at #7 for value in agricultural business this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for agricultural business graduates is $14,506. Agricultural Business graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College earned the #8 position for value in agricultural business this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the agricultural business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for agricultural business value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for agricultural business graduates is $17,500. Early-career agricultural business graduates make about $93,216. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural business schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the agricultural business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,868. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute placed #11 among the best values for agricultural business. Located in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,584, compared with $36,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the agricultural business program here. Agricultural Business graduates of Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earn a median of $34,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Illinois College placed #12 among the best values for agricultural business. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $38,676 in tuition and fees. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Agricultural Business graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #13 position for value in agricultural business this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the agricultural business program here. Agricultural Business graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $57,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Wilmington College came in at #14 for value in agricultural business this year. Located in the town of Wilmington, Wilmington College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,082. Agricultural Business graduates carry a median of $24,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural business degree recipients from Wilmington College generally make around $41,957. Set against $24,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Agricultural Business Schools by State
More Agricultural Business Rankings
View All Agricultural Business Rankings >
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
