2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) 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 54 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Agricultural Economics School for You
The agricultural economics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural economics schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,218 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,371. Set against $16,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,942. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Riverland Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $15,732. Agricultural Economics graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at North Iowa Area Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for agricultural economics. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $41,268. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wyoming ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $15,056. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $35,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,056 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #8 among the best values for agricultural economics. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $44,264. Set against $14,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for agricultural economics. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $93,216. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Otero Junior College placed #10 among the best values for agricultural economics. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Otero Junior College earn a median of $66,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Students borrow a median of $18,550 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $46,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clarendon College earned the #12 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the rural area of Clarendon, Clarendon College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $5,400. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Clarendon College generally make around $46,745. That is a strong return on a $14,789 median debt.
University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for agricultural economics value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $20,682. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $54,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $17,956. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $48,338. Set against $17,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #15 for value in agricultural economics this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $55,934. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
West Virginia University landed the #16 spot for agricultural economics value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $24,070 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $37,779. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #17 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,274. Students borrow a median of $8,630 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $32,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #18 spot for agricultural economics value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Agricultural Economics 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.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #19 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $20,000. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $53,081 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #20 position for value in agricultural economics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $49,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $59,953. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Alcorn State University earned the #22 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $25,125. Agricultural Economics graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $44,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #23 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $40,194. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,162 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $45,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $53,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agricultural economics value ranking:
Narrow Agricultural Economics Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Agricultural Economics. See all related rankings.
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
