2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics students.
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Finding the Best Value Agricultural Economics School for You
The agricultural economics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in agricultural economics in the United States. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $16,218. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #3 place for agricultural economics. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $49,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #5 place for agricultural economics. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College earned the #6 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #7 for value in agricultural economics this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $48,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $12,043. Agricultural Economics graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in agricultural economics this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #10 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $40,194. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. 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 agricultural economics graduates is $20,000. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $55,934. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $93,216 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #13 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $20,682. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $54,961. That is a strong return on a $20,682 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Clarendon College earned the #14 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Clarendon College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarendon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, compared with $5,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $14,789. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Clarendon College generally make around $46,745. That is a strong return on a $14,789 median debt.
Otero Junior College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $21,759. Agricultural Economics graduates of Otero Junior College earn a median of $66,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,759 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd landed the #16 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,249. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $14,479. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Central Lakes College Brainerd generally make around $44,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming came in at #17 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $35,431 early in their careers. Set against $15,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Fort Valley State University earned the #18 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,878 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,963 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Fort Valley State University generally make around $32,127. That is a strong return on a $35,963 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Alcorn State University landed the #19 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $44,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics 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. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Idaho placed #21 among the best values for agricultural economics. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $17,956. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $48,338 early in their careers. Set against $17,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #22 position for value in agricultural economics this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $53,081. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #23 spot for agricultural economics value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $53,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $14,000. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,656. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in agricultural economics:
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Notes and References
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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
