2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agricultural economics schools.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
Leading the list is Riverland Community College, our #1 best value for agricultural economics in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at North Iowa Area Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $14,479. Agricultural Economics graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northland Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for agricultural economics. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $18,550. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $46,528. That is a strong return on a $18,550 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for agricultural economics. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $59,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #6 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $53,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #7 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $18,614. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $43,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,641 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $75,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University placed #9 among the best values for agricultural economics. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $16,972. Agricultural Economics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Set against $16,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $17,499 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $58,335. Set against $17,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
