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.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agriculture schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Berea College tops our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $25,912. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
A rank of #2 makes Potomac State College Of West Virginia University one of the best values for agriculture. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Potomac State College Of West Virginia University generally make around $42,670. That is a strong return on a $19,858 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kentucky State University earned it the #3 place for agriculture. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $29,774. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Kentucky State University generally make around $28,497. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,500. Agriculture graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $39,438 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $34,255. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Western Kentucky University landed the #6 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $23,656 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $38,804. That is a strong return on a $23,656 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University landed the #7 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $37,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #8 position for value in agriculture this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $28,285. Agriculture graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $32,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,285 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,915 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $33,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $37,771. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University placed #11 among the best values for agriculture. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,545 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Austin Peay State University landed the #12 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $18,625. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $31,905. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $26,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #14 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $39,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern University And A And M College landed the #15 spot for agriculture value this year. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,922, compared with $17,272 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $28,250. Agriculture graduates of Southern University And A And M College earn a median of $30,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Southern University And A And M College admits about 35% of applicants.
Warner University landed the #16 spot for agriculture value this year. Warner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lake Wales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,992. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $44,154. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Ferrum College placed #17 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the rural area of Ferrum, Ferrum College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,380. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Ferrum College earn a median of $34,992 early in their careers. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferrum College admits about 89% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #18 spot for agriculture value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $51,630 early in their careers. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University came in at #19 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $41,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.