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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agriculture education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agriculture schools.
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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.
For return on investment in agriculture, no school beat Berea College this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Berea College earn a median of $25,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. Students from in state pay about $9,387 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $29,774. Agriculture graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for agriculture. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,656 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $38,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.