by our College Data Analytics Team
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 190 schools to find the best return on investment for agriculture students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agriculture degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in agriculture, no school beat California State University Stanislaus this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at Berea College, which ranked #2. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $25,912. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $22,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $26,666. That is a strong return on a $22,993 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Kentucky State University one of the best values for agriculture. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, with out-of-state students paying around $13,578. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $29,774. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $28,497. Set against $29,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #6 among the best values for agriculture. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $41,646 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $48,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Utah University earned the #9 position for value in agriculture this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $12,886. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $41,071. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $23,656. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $38,804. Set against $23,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Mcneese State University landed the #11 spot for agriculture value this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,500. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $37,887. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $37,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #13 position for value in agriculture this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,285 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $32,301. Set against $28,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Truman State University came in at #14 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,500. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $36,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Langston University landed the #16 spot for agriculture value this year. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,863, compared with $14,616 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $28,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Langston University generally make around $45,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cameron University earned the #17 position for value in agriculture this year. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $23,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $43,122. That is a strong return on a $23,967 median debt.
Fort Hays State University earned the #18 position for value in agriculture this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $20,340. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $48,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Angelo State University came in at #19 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $21,237. Agriculture graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $32,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $14,915. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $33,508. Set against $14,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
California State University Chico came in at #22 for value in agriculture this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $15,000. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $45,591. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez landed the #23 spot for agriculture value this year. Set in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,274. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $10,000. Agriculture graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earn a median of $18,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez admits about 56% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #24 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $38,678. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #25 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,076, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $26,996. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore admits about 96% of applicants.
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Explore the best-value agriculture schools at other degree levels:
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 · 190 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.