2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in Illinois
[Agricultural Production Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agricultural-production-operations-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural production operations education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural production operations students.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural production operations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in agricultural production operations in Illinois. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,783. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #3 place for agricultural production operations. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,995. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Black Hawk College one of the best values for agricultural production operations. 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, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production operations will find it at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations 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.
More Agricultural Production Operations Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
