2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Leading the list is Lake Land College, our #1 best value for agricultural economics in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $93,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $55,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,868. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $42,656. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

7

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.