2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Southwest Region
[Agriculture & Agriculture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agriculture & agriculture operations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 106 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools.
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2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture & agriculture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among agriculture & agriculture operations schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $15,044 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $37,896 early in their careers. Set against $15,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #2 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $9,819 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $34,497. Set against $9,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $43,730. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Western Texas College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,112. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $28,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District placed #6 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Palo Alto College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,430. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Redlands Community College placed #8 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,682. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Redlands Community College earn a median of $45,166 early in their careers. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #9 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,789. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yavapai College earned the #11 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,087. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #12 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $32,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College landed the #13 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,941. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Texas College came in at #14 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $43,536. That is a strong return on a $15,965 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $18,558 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $30,929. That is a strong return on a $18,558 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Western Oklahoma State College placed #16 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Western Oklahoma State College generally make around $39,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College placed #17 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System came in at #18 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,425. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $38,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Texas Community College placed #19 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,980, compared with $5,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,089 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $37,839. That is a strong return on a $15,089 median debt.
Weatherford College landed the #20 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Students borrow a median of $14,099 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $48,208. That is a strong return on a $14,099 median debt.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the #21 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,092, compared with $8,675 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $53,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute East Valley ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute East Valley is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Pima Medical Institute East Valley earn a median of $30,864 early in their careers. Set against $14,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute Phoenix ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Pima Medical Institute Phoenix is a small private for-profit institution. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,584 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Pima Medical Institute Phoenix earn a median of $32,842 early in their careers.
Arizona Western College came in at #24 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Clarendon College placed #25 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Clarendon College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarendon. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, compared with $5,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,789. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Clarendon College generally make around $46,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in agriculture & agriculture operations:
Narrow Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools by State
More Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings
View All Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings >
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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
