2026 Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools
[Farm/Farm & Ranch Management](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/farm-farm-and-ranch-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for farm/farm & ranch management students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management School for You
Where you study farm/farm & ranch management affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the farm/farm & ranch management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools
Snow College earned the #1 spot for value among farm/farm & ranch management schools in the United States. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Scott Community College earned it the #2 place for farm/farm & ranch management. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $40,041. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in farm/farm & ranch management will find it at North Central Texas College, which ranked #3. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $15,965. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in farm/farm & ranch management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Set against $12,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lakeshore Technical College earned it the #5 place for farm/farm & ranch management. Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $41,252. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College came in at #6 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $15,732. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
Northeast Community College came in at #7 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $10,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $36,223. Set against $10,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State Community College earned the #8 position for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $15,406. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Casper College landed the #9 spot for farm/farm & ranch management value this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, compared with $10,710 for out-of-state students. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Texas Community College placed #10 among the best values for farm/farm & ranch management. Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $2,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,620. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $15,089. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Northeast Texas Community College earn a median of $37,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clarendon College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value farm/farm & ranch management schools. Clarendon College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarendon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $5,400. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $14,789. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $46,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value farm/farm & ranch management schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #13 position for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Bismarck State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value farm/farm & ranch management schools. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $12,000. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $38,623 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #15 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $10,697. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $44,875. That is a strong return on a $10,697 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value farm/farm & ranch management schools. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $43,009. That is a strong return on a $13,946 median debt.
Otero Junior College earned the #17 position for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $7,270. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $21,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $66,338. Set against $21,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #18 among the best values for farm/farm & ranch management. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $43,479 early in their careers. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #19 among the best values for farm/farm & ranch management. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $14,479. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $44,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for farm/farm & ranch management. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $18,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $46,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for farm/farm & ranch management value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $93,216. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Mitchell Technical Institute earned the #22 position for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,524. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $12,730. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $47,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Iowa State University came in at #23 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $16,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,967. Set against $16,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College landed the #24 spot for farm/farm & ranch management value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.
Texas Tech University came in at #25 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for farm/farm & ranch management graduates is $19,588. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $50,332. Set against $19,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s farm/farm & ranch management value ranking:
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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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
