by our College Data Analytics Team
[Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agribusiness-agricultural-business-operations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agribusiness/agricultural business operations students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is California State University Bakersfield, our #1 best value for agribusiness/agricultural business operations in the United States. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $50,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma Panhandle State University earned it the #3 place for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $53,151. Set against $24,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,268. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Tennessee Martin one of the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $19,928. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $36,242. Set against $19,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #6 for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $20,500. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Students borrow a median of $21,542 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $44,406. Set against $21,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #8 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #9 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $25,531. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $20,682. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $49,611. That is a strong return on a $20,682 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $22,239 in student loans. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $43,804. That is a strong return on a $22,239 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming landed the #12 spot for agribusiness/agricultural business operations value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $35,431. Set against $15,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University placed #13 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $15,620. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $44,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University Chico ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $11,250. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $47,937. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,013 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #16 for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $21,445 in student loans. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $53,911. Set against $21,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $13,875. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $41,325 early in their careers. Set against $13,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #18 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Idaho ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $17,956. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $48,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for agribusiness/agricultural business operations. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $19,500. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #21 for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates is $21,237. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $52,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello earned the #23 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Students borrow a median of $15,611 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Soon after graduation, agribusiness/agricultural business operations degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $36,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #24 for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $23,542 to complete the agribusiness/agricultural business operations program here. Early-career agribusiness/agricultural business operations graduates make about $45,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #25 position for value in agribusiness/agricultural business operations this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates carry a median of $15,276 in student loans. Agribusiness/agricultural Business Operations graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $54,473 early in their careers. Set against $15,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agribusiness/agricultural business operations value ranking:
Explore the best-value agribusiness/agricultural business operations schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
