2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools in Illinois
[Agricultural Production](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural production students.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural production degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Production Schools
Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural production schools in Illinois. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Agricultural Production graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Highland Community College Freeport earned it the #2 place for agricultural production. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $13,783. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $11,995. Agricultural Production 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. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production 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. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $9,434. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College generally make around $38,331. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.
More Agricultural Production Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 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.
