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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

22 Colleges in the United States
$14,892 Avg Student Debt
$44,790 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Badge [Agriculture & Agriculture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 156 schools to find the best return on investment for agriculture & agriculture operations students.

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2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture & agriculture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools

1

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among agriculture & agriculture operations schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #2 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Students looking for strong value in agriculture & agriculture operations will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,142 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $8,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,142 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,126. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.

5

Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $32,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Joliet Junior College came in at #6 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $36,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Kankakee Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.

8

Highland Community College Freeport came in at #8 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,783. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #9 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

10
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #10 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,492. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Sinclair Community College placed #11 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,525. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $31,456 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

College Of Lake County placed #12 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #13 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Black Hawk College came in at #14 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $44,286. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

John Wood Community College came in at #15 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,844. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of John Wood Community College earn a median of $45,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,844 median debt.

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Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College landed the #16 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $7,875. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College placed #17 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $39,261. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Kishwaukee College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College landed the #19 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,478 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt.

20

Columbus State Community College landed the #20 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Lakeshore Technical College placed #21 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $39,246. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.

23

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Rend Lake College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $8,688. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College earned the #25 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in agriculture & agriculture operations:

26
27
28
29
30
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
39
40
41
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL
42
43
44
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
45
Fox College Inc crest
Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL
46
47
48
49
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH
50

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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 · 156 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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