[General Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 190 schools to find the best return on investment for general agriculture students.
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Finding the Best Value General Agriculture School for You
The general agriculture program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Agriculture Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Agriculture Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #1 spot for value among general agriculture schools in the United States. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $14,813. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $43,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general agriculture will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in general agriculture will find it at Berea College, which ranked #3. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the general agriculture program here. General 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. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Redlands Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general agriculture, landing the #4 spot this year. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of Redlands Community College earn a median of $45,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $7,125. General Agriculture graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $39,261 early in their careers. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College landed the #6 spot for general agriculture value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University came in at #7 for value in general agriculture this year. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,200. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $42,670. That is a strong return on a $19,858 median debt.
Northeast Community College earned the #8 position for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $11,937. General Agriculture graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #9 among the best values for general agriculture. 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. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $22,993 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $26,666. Set against $22,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Oklahoma State College came in at #11 for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $9,758. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,654 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College landed the #12 spot for general agriculture value this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Kentucky State University landed the #13 spot for general agriculture value this year. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,387, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $28,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #14 for value in general agriculture this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
College Of Micronesia Fsm landed the #15 spot for general agriculture value this year. College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public school based in Pohnpei, FM. In-state tuition and fees average $5,050. Median earnings reach $24,651 ten years out. College Of Micronesia Fsm admits about 87% of applicants.
Missouri State University West Plains came in at #16 for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,936, compared with $8,106 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $42,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #17 among the best values for general agriculture. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ellsworth Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #19 among the best values for general agriculture. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $22,875. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $45,224. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #20 for value in general agriculture this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $18,969. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $48,509. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University landed the #21 spot for general agriculture value this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,255 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Utah University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general agriculture schools. 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, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $41,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #23 position for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. 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 general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $38,804. Set against $23,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #24 position for value in general agriculture this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $46,268. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Mcneese State University placed #25 among the best values for general agriculture. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $37,887. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Agriculture Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general agriculture value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 62 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).
[General Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-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.
