2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural production operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
For return on investment in agricultural production operations, no school beat Henderson Community College this year. Henderson Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $13,528 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $40,259. Set against $13,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black River Technical College earned it the #2 place for agricultural production operations. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Students borrow a median of $12,420 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $19,250. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $40,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned it the #4 place for agricultural production operations. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,267 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $35,490. Set against $26,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $9,090. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $59,622. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas earned the #7 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College landed the #8 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $30,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Mount Olive College generally make around $41,737. That is a strong return on a $30,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #9 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $36,083. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
