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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Agricultural Production Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1 Colleges in the United States
101 Agricultural Production Operations Degrees Awarded
$39,232 Avg Early-Career Salary

Agricultural Production Operations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for agricultural production operations students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Agricultural Production Operations in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the agricultural production operations degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Agricultural Production Operations

1

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College tops our 2026 ranking of the best agricultural production operations schools. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College awarded about 22 agricultural production operations degrees in the most recent data year. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in agricultural production operations from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College

2
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Students looking for a strong agricultural production operations program will find one at Lake Land College, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. About 18 agricultural production operations degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Students who receive their agricultural production operations degree from Lake Land College earn around $30,294 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,769. See the full agricultural production operations program report for Lake Land College

3

Black Hawk College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best agricultural production operations schools. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. About 19 agricultural production operations degrees were awarded at Black Hawk College in the most recent year. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Black Hawk College graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Read more about the agricultural production operations program at Black Hawk College

4

Joliet Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #4 spot this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 15 agricultural production operations students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree. Read more about the agricultural production operations program at Joliet Junior College

5
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

A rank of #5 makes Michigan State University one of the top schools for agricultural production operations. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 17 agricultural production operations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $35,978. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. See the full agricultural production operations program report for Michigan State University

6

Highland Community College Freeport earned the #6 position for agricultural production operations this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Freeport. There were roughly 10 agricultural production operations students who graduated with this degree at Highland Community College Freeport in the most recent data year. Students who receive their agricultural production operations degree from Highland Community College Freeport earn around $46,384 in the first couple years of their career. Highland Community College Freeport graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Get the full agricultural production operations details for Highland Community College Freeport

Narrow Agricultural Production Operations Schools by State

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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 graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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