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2026 Best Value Agronomy & Crop Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$16,604 Avg Student Debt
$61,376 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Agronomy & Crop Science Badge [Agronomy & Crop Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/agronomy-and-crop-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agronomy & crop science students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Agronomy & Crop Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agronomy & crop science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Agronomy & Crop Science Schools

1

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among agronomy & crop science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in agronomy & crop science will find it at Chippewa Valley Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the agronomy & crop science program here. Soon after graduation, agronomy & crop science degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for agronomy & crop science. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career agronomy & crop science graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agronomy & crop science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $48,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agronomy & crop science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,125 to complete the agronomy & crop science program here. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in agronomy & crop science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for agronomy & crop science graduates is $15,750. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $45,411 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for value in agronomy & crop science this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career agronomy & crop science graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute landed the #8 spot for agronomy & crop science value this year. Located in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,584, with out-of-state students paying around $36,362. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates carry a median of $11,717 in student loans. Early-career agronomy & crop science graduates make about $34,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Notes and References

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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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