by our College Data Analytics Team
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 11 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 Redlands Community College this year. 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. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $45,166. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Western Oklahoma State College one of the best values for agriculture. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Western Oklahoma State College generally make around $39,122. That is a strong return on a $14,654 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at Eastern Oklahoma State College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Wilburton, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,767 in tuition and fees, 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cameron University earned it the #4 place for agriculture. Set in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $43,122. That is a strong return on a $23,967 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College one of the best values for agriculture. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College generally make around $46,400. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Langston University came in at #6 for value in agriculture this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. Students from in state pay about $6,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $28,310. Agriculture graduates of Langston University earn a median of $45,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Connors State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $10,375. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $47,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State College placed #8 among the best values for agriculture. Murray State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tishomingo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,230, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,542 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $43,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for agriculture value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $22,337. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.