2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in Tennessee
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agriculture & agriculture operations students.
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2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agriculture & agriculture operations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
Our analysis ranked Columbia State Community College the best value for a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations in Tennessee. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $30,761. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattanooga State Community College earned it the #2 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $26,992. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture & agriculture operations will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #3. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $19,919 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $36,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $27,000. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $34,255. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture & agriculture operations will find it at Volunteer State Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #6 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $18,415. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $37,432. That is a strong return on a $18,415 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #7 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,915 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $33,508. Set against $14,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University landed the #8 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $18,625 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $31,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #9 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $19,250. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $98,489 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #10 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $21,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $33,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
More Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings
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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.
- 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.
