2026 Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Farm/Farm & Ranch Management](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/farm-farm-and-ranch-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for farm/farm & ranch management students.
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2026 Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in farm/farm & ranch management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Farm/Farm & Ranch Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Fort Scott Community College the best value for a degree in farm/farm & ranch management in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value farm/farm & ranch management schools. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for farm/farm & ranch management. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $10,575 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $36,223. That is a strong return on a $10,575 median debt.
Bismarck State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value farm/farm & ranch management schools. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in farm/farm & ranch management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,697 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $44,875. That is a strong return on a $10,697 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #6 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Lakes College Brainerd came in at #7 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,249. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates carry a median of $14,479 in student loans. Farm/farm & Ranch Management graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College came in at #8 for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,550 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $46,528. That is a strong return on a $18,550 median debt.
Mitchell Technical Institute landed the #9 spot for farm/farm & ranch management value this year. Set in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,524. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. 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.
Butler Community College landed the #10 spot for farm/farm & ranch management value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Early-career farm/farm & ranch management graduates make about $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University earned the #11 position for value in farm/farm & ranch management this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $16,972 to complete the farm/farm & ranch management program here. Soon after graduation, farm/farm & ranch management degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,967. That is a strong return on a $16,972 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 23 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.
