[Agricultural Economics & Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/) 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 399 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics & business students.
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Finding the Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business School for You
The right agricultural economics & business school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in agricultural economics & business, 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, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shasta College earned it the #2 place for agricultural economics & business. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics & business will find it at Reedley College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #4 place for agricultural economics & business. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $9,125. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics & business, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College came in at #6 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
California State University Fresno earned the #7 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $50,100. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Merced College placed #8 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College landed the #9 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Hinds Community College came in at #10 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $16,385. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #11 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $16,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $49,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Fort Scott Community College earned the #12 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,990. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield placed #13 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Woodland Community College came in at #14 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $7,656. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,042 ten years after entry.
Harper College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Sierra College earned the #16 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,733. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College placed #17 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Bakersfield College earned the #18 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Snow College landed the #19 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $7,947. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College placed #21 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $25,932. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Central Community College landed the #22 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College placed #23 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $16,486 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $39,679. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College landed the #24 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
Ogeechee Technical College landed the #25 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, while out-of-state students pay about $5,956. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $35,521. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agricultural economics & business value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 399 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 93 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).
[Agricultural Economics & Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
