2026 Best Value Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Schools
[Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agroecology-and-sustainable-agriculture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 103 schools to find the best return on investment for agroecology & sustainable agriculture students.
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Finding the Best Value Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture School for You
Where you study agroecology & sustainable agriculture affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Schools
Leading the list is Wayne Community College, our #1 best value for agroecology & sustainable agriculture in the United States. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $5,500. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Redlands Community College earned it the #2 place for agroecology & sustainable agriculture. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the agroecology & sustainable agriculture program here. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of Redlands Community College earn a median of $45,166 early in their careers. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the agroecology & sustainable agriculture program here. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agroecology & sustainable agriculture, landing the #4 spot this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, agroecology & sustainable agriculture degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture will find it at Spartanburg Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $10,148. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $41,598. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value agroecology & sustainable agriculture schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
Leeward Community College earned the #7 position for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pearl City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Students borrow a median of $10,776 to complete the agroecology & sustainable agriculture program here. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $21,784. That is a strong return on a $10,776 median debt.
Davidson County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value agroecology & sustainable agriculture schools. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,693 in student loans. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $35,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Kansas Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value agroecology & sustainable agriculture schools. Set in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $15,211. Soon after graduation, agroecology & sustainable agriculture degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $56,835. Set against $15,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agroecology & sustainable agriculture degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University earned the #12 position for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $17,395. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $56,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value agroecology & sustainable agriculture schools. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $26,267. Soon after graduation, agroecology & sustainable agriculture degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $35,490. That is a strong return on a $26,267 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #14 position for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the agroecology & sustainable agriculture program here. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #15 position for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $13,712 to complete the agroecology & sustainable agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agroecology & sustainable agriculture degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #16 position for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $13,869. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. Set against $13,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi State University came in at #17 for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $23,969. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Puerto Rico Utuado ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value agroecology & sustainable agriculture schools. Set in the rural area of Utuado, University Of Puerto Rico Utuado is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $23,906. The acceptance rate is 64%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for agroecology & sustainable agriculture value this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the agroecology & sustainable agriculture program here. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $62,869. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #20 among the best values for agroecology & sustainable agriculture. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value agroecology & sustainable agriculture schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value agroecology & sustainable agriculture schools. 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, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $35,198. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #23 among the best values for agroecology & sustainable agriculture. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $35,167 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Iowa State University came in at #24 for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates is $23,495. Early-career agroecology & sustainable agriculture graduates make about $53,900. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College came in at #25 for value in agroecology & sustainable agriculture this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete the agroecology & sustainable agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agroecology & sustainable agriculture degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $30,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agroecology & sustainable agriculture value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 103 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
