2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
[Agricultural Production Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agricultural-production-operations-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 78 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agricultural production operations schools.
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Finding the Best Value Agricultural Production Operations School for You
The agricultural production operations program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Agricultural Production Operations 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Agricultural Production Operations 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural production operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in agricultural production operations in the United States. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hartnell College one of the best values for agricultural production operations. 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. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Highland Community College Freeport earned it the #3 place for agricultural production operations. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,995. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production operations will find it at Henderson Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,528. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $40,259. That is a strong return on a $13,528 median debt.
Black Hawk College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
Black River Technical College placed #7 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. Students from in state pay about $4,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $41,888. Set against $12,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Idaho ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,175. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College earned the #9 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,084. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #10 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $10,000. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $42,392. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #11 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #12 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #13 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $14,348. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $38,924. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $19,250. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $40,047. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #15 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College generally make around $38,331. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #16 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,319. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #17 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cloud County Community College came in at #18 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Concordia. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $12,839 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $53,004. Set against $12,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #19 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $14,234. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $26,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $35,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University landed the #21 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $47,297. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #22 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Puerto Rico Utuado placed #23 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Set in the rural area of Utuado, University Of Puerto Rico Utuado is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $23,906. University Of Puerto Rico Utuado admits about 64% of applicants.
Washington State University came in at #24 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $17,395 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $56,743. That is a strong return on a $17,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Set in the rural area of Curtis, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,926 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,629. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $24,427. That is a strong return on a $11,629 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agricultural production operations value ranking:
Narrow Agricultural Production Operations Schools by Region
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
