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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Associate’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
$11,798 Avg Student Debt
$46,068 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Associate's Degree Badge [Agricultural Production Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agricultural-production-operations-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 78 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agricultural production operations schools.

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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

1
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural production operations schools in the United States. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $7,769. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

2
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Black Hawk College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. 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, 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.

4

A rank of #4 makes College Of Southern Idaho one of the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $42,392. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

North Iowa Area Community College came in at #6 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $12,043. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.

7

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #7 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 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.

8

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #8 for value in agricultural production operations 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, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Fox Valley Technical College placed #9 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #10 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt.

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11

Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #11 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. 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.

12

University Of Puerto Rico Utuado placed #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Median earnings reach $23,906 ten years out. University Of Puerto Rico Utuado admits about 64% of applicants.

13

Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture came in at #13 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Set in the rural area of Curtis, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,926. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,629 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture generally make around $24,427. That is a strong return on a $11,629 median debt.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #14 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

15

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #15 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $36,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

Other Agricultural Production Operations Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Agricultural Production Operations rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Agricultural Production Operations
Bachelor's Degrees in Agricultural Production Operations
Master's Degrees in Agricultural Production Operations
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View All Agricultural Production Operations Rankings >

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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 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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