2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in Iowa

[Agricultural Production Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agricultural-production-operations-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 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 Iowa
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 Indian Hills Community College the best value for a degree in agricultural production operations in Iowa. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #2 spot this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $41,681. 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 Ellsworth Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $17,062. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $40,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 3 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.