2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 77 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics & business students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural economics & business degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools
Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural economics & business schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics & business will find it at Harper College, which ranked #2. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black Hawk College earned it the #3 place for agricultural economics & business. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. 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 City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Wood Community College earned it the #5 place for agricultural economics & business. Located in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Students borrow a median of $13,844 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. Set against $13,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College earned the #6 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $7,875. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College landed the #7 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Edison State Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $43,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earned the #9 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University placed #10 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #11 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Illinois Central College placed #12 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,222. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. That is a strong return on a $12,222 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #13 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $43,479. That is a strong return on a $13,669 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $93,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #15 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $55,934. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #16 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Students borrow a median of $15,276 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $54,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,276 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #17 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $21,445 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $53,911. That is a strong return on a $21,445 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #18 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $14,000. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $49,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #19 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $15,000. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $40,194. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute landed the #20 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,584 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,362. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute generally make around $34,747. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Illinois College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $26,922. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $16,000. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #23 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $57,023. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Wilmington College landed the #24 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the town of Wilmington, Wilmington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,082 in tuition and fees. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $24,525 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Wilmington College earn a median of $41,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
