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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in Illinois

6 Colleges in the United States
$13,131 Avg Student Debt
$44,427 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong agriculture & agriculture operations education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 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 Illinois

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

Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College tops our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $7,500. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.

3
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $8,142 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. 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 Kankakee Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Highland Community College Freeport one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. 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.

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6

Joliet Junior College placed #6 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $36,988. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #7 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #8 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

College Of Lake County came in at #9 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. 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. Set against $8,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Kishwaukee College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

John Wood Community College landed the #12 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,844. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Black Hawk College earned the #13 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $44,286. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Spoon River College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.

15
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College landed the #15 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #16 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Rend Lake College came in at #17 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

18
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.

19
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College came in at #19 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $39,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.

20

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $38,331. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.

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21

Heartland Community College landed the #21 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Western Illinois University earned the #22 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $18,969 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $48,509. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

23
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College placed #23 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,222. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24
Fox College Inc crest
Fox College Inc
Tinley Park, IL

Fox College Inc placed #24 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Tinley Park. In-state tuition and fees average $17,670. Students borrow a median of $14,722 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Fox College Inc generally make around $36,853. Set against $14,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #25 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $18,509. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $52,199. That is a strong return on a $18,509 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools

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

26
27
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
28
29
30

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 43 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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