2026 Best Value Agriculture Schools in Missouri
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agriculture schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Agriculture Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agriculture Schools
Leading the list is Ozarks Technical Community College, our #1 best value for agriculture in Missouri. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Missouri State University West Plains is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #2 spot this year. Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Plains. Students from in state pay about $5,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,106. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Missouri State University West Plains earn a median of $42,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Truman State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $36,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
A rank of #5 makes Northwest Missouri State University one of the best values for agriculture. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $38,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $35,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #7 position for value in agriculture this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $42,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
More Agriculture Rankings
View All Agriculture Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
