[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 190 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agriculture schools.
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Finding the Best Value Agriculture School for You
The right agriculture school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Agriculture Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Agriculture Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #1 spot for value among agriculture schools in the United States. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $43,101. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for agriculture. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $15,598. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Berea College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $5,801. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $25,912. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Redlands Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, while out-of-state students pay about $7,951. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $39,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #6 for value in agriculture this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University came in at #7 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,858. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $42,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College placed #8 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #9 for value in agriculture this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in agriculture this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $22,993 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $26,666. Set against $22,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Oklahoma State College landed the #11 spot for agriculture value this year. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College placed #12 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $44,895.
Kentucky State University came in at #13 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $29,774. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $28,497. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $39,438. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
College Of Micronesia Fsm landed the #15 spot for agriculture value this year. College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public school based in Pohnpei, FM. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,050. Median earnings reach $24,651 ten years out. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University West Plains came in at #16 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,936, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $11,250. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $42,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #17 position for value in agriculture this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ellsworth Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,062 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #19 spot for agriculture value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $45,224 early in their careers. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #20 among the best values for agriculture. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $18,969. Agriculture graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $48,509 early in their careers. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Tennessee State University earned the #21 position for value in agriculture this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $34,255. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $41,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #23 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $23,656 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $38,804. Set against $23,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #24 among the best values for agriculture. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $46,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mcneese State University came in at #25 for value in agriculture this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $37,887. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agriculture Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in agriculture:
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 · 190 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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).
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
