by our College Data Analytics Team
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agriculture education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 190 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agriculture students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agriculture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Redlands Community College the best value for a degree in agriculture in the United States. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $14,682. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for agriculture. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at Potomac State College Of West Virginia University, which ranked #4. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,858 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at Northeast Community College, which ranked #5. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $40,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in agriculture this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Oklahoma State College earned the #7 position for value in agriculture 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,122. Set against $14,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College came in at #8 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $44,895.
College Of Micronesia Fsm came in at #9 for value in agriculture this year. College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public school based in Pohnpei, FM. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,050. Median earnings reach $24,651 ten years out. College Of Micronesia Fsm admits about 87% of applicants.
Missouri State University West Plains ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,936, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $42,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College landed the #11 spot for agriculture value this year. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,062 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Set against $17,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $12,271 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $54,373. Set against $12,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Oklahoma State College earned the #13 position for value in agriculture this year. Located in the rural area of Wilburton, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,767, while out-of-state students pay about $8,383. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,658 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Connors State College landed the #14 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $10,375. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $47,964. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #15 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Utah State University came in at #16 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State College earned the #17 position for value in agriculture this year. Set in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,542 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Murray State College earn a median of $43,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,542 median debt.
Butler Community College placed #18 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Dakota State University came in at #19 for value in agriculture this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $49,781. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Blinn College came in at #20 for value in agriculture this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Explore the best-value agriculture schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.