2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Agricultural Economics & Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics & business students.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Central Community College the best value for a degree in agricultural economics & business in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #2 place for agricultural economics & business. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $9,887. 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.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics & business will find it at Fort Scott Community College, which ranked #3. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Southeast Community College Area one of the best values for agricultural economics & business. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $10,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $42,642. Set against $10,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for agricultural economics & business. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $10,575. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $36,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,575 median debt.
Riverland Community College earned the #6 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business 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.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #7 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College placed #8 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $40,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
State Fair Community College placed #9 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #10 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $16,135. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #11 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $47,472 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State College Of Science placed #12 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $11,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $48,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College came in at #13 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,000. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $38,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College landed the #14 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $10,697. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $44,875. That is a strong return on a $10,697 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $14,348. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $40,955. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #16 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $40,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Missouri College landed the #17 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of North Central Missouri College earn a median of $26,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Region State College earned the #18 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Devils Lake. Students from in state pay about $5,520 in tuition and fees. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $15,784 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $48,331. That is a strong return on a $15,784 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $15,153. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #20 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Students borrow a median of $13,946 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #21 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. 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. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $14,479. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. Set against $14,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Community And Technical College earned the #22 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Students borrow a median of $18,550 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $46,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,550 median debt.
Mitchell Technical Institute landed the #23 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,730. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $47,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $47,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture landed the #25 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Located in the rural area of Curtis, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,926. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,127. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture generally make around $28,610. That is a strong return on a $12,127 median debt.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agricultural economics & business value ranking:
Narrow Agricultural Economics & Business Schools by State
More Agricultural Economics & Business Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
