by our College Data Analytics Team
[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in agricultural economics, no school beat Lake Land College this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $7,769. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $55,934. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $15,000. Agricultural Economics graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.