2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools in the Southeast Region
[Agricultural Production](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural production education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 61 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agricultural production schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is Wilkes Community College, our #1 best value for agricultural production in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $9,125. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hinds Community College one of the best values for agricultural production. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the agricultural production program here. Agricultural Production graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henderson Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $13,528 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $40,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College earned the #6 position for value in agricultural production this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Black River Technical College came in at #7 for value in agricultural production this year. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Students borrow a median of $12,420 to complete the agricultural production program here. Agricultural Production graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #8 for value in agricultural production this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $41,598. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Isothermal Community College came in at #9 for value in agricultural production this year. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,030, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the agricultural production program here. Agricultural Production graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $47,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Davidson County Community College placed #10 among the best values for agricultural production. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,980, with out-of-state students paying around $6,588. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $16,693 in student loans. Agricultural Production 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.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #11 position for value in agricultural production this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the agricultural production program here. Agricultural Production graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $40,047 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #12 among the best values for agricultural production. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $26,267. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $35,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Carteret Community College came in at #13 for value in agricultural production this year. Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morehead City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $8,222. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $5,566 in student loans. Agricultural Production graduates of Carteret Community College earn a median of $48,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in agricultural production this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Mississippi State University came in at #16 for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $13,146. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $40,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #18 for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the agricultural production program here. Agricultural Production graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $35,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #19 among the best values for agricultural production. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $35,167. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Arkansas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural production schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $52,555. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Mount Olive College came in at #21 for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,366. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $30,798 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $41,737. Set against $30,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Clemson University placed #22 among the best values for agricultural production. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $30,825. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #23 for value in agricultural production this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $36,083. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #24 spot for agricultural production value this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $22,803. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $37,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Kentucky Horseshoeing School placed #25 among the best values for agricultural production. Kentucky Horseshoeing School is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Richmond. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $8,768. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $14,821.
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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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
