2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in agricultural economics in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $16,218 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $49,371 early in their careers. Set against $16,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,942. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. 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. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #4. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $15,056 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $35,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,056 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $52,804. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $20,682 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in agricultural economics this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $55,934 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #8 position for value in agricultural economics this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,070 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $37,779 early in their careers. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,274. Students borrow a median of $8,630 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $32,922. Set against $8,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #10 for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $17,956. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #11 spot for agricultural economics value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #12 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $53,081 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $59,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #14 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,868. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University placed #15 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $44,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $19,162 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #18 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $19,500. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $53,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kentucky came in at #19 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $41,508. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #20 spot for agricultural economics value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $18,909. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $54,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kansas State University came in at #21 for value in agricultural economics this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,641 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $53,751. That is a strong return on a $19,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University came in at #22 for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $16,972 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,614 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $43,585 early in their careers. Set against $18,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for agricultural economics. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $50,565. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in agricultural economics:
Other Agricultural Economics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Agricultural Economics rankings across degree levels:
View All Agricultural Economics 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
