2026 Best Value Agronomy & Crop Science Schools in the Southeast Region

[Agronomy & Crop Science](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/plant-sciences/agronomy-and-crop-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agronomy & crop science students.
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2026 Best Value Agronomy & Crop Science Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agronomy & crop science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agronomy & Crop Science Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among agronomy & crop science schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agronomy & crop science graduates is $12,281. Soon after graduation, agronomy & crop science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,815. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value agronomy & crop science schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for agronomy & crop science graduates is $21,792. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $47,698 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
A rank of #3 makes West Virginia University one of the best values for agronomy & crop science. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for agronomy & crop science graduates is $25,000. Early-career agronomy & crop science graduates make about $37,454. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Mississippi State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agronomy & crop science, landing the #4 spot this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $20,311 to complete the agronomy & crop science program here. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $45,994 early in their careers. Set against $20,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #5 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for agronomy & crop science. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates carry a median of $22,156 in student loans. Early-career agronomy & crop science graduates make about $42,008. Set against $22,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Kentucky placed #6 among the best values for agronomy & crop science. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the agronomy & crop science program here. Soon after graduation, agronomy & crop science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #7 spot for agronomy & crop science value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agronomy & crop science graduates is $24,019. Early-career agronomy & crop science graduates make about $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #8 position for value in agronomy & crop science this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,687 to complete the agronomy & crop science program here. Soon after graduation, agronomy & crop science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $42,861. That is a strong return on a $20,687 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #9 spot for agronomy & crop science value this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Agronomy & Crop Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $44,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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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 7 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.