2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for agricultural economics in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $16,218. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,371. Set against $16,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,942. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $15,000. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $40,194. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $55,934. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $52,804 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for agricultural economics. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,682 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,611. Set against $20,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming landed the #8 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $35,431. Set against $15,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Fort Valley State University landed the #9 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $35,963. 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. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Alcorn State University came in at #10 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $44,330. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $59,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #12 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $53,081. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Idaho came in at #13 for value in agricultural economics this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $17,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics 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.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #14 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $53,160. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $49,868. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for agricultural economics. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $20,000. Agricultural Economics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,565 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #17 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $24,070 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #18 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, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $19,162. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $45,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #19 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $53,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #21 position for value in agricultural economics this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the agricultural economics program here. 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 acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #22 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $23,250. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $41,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas Tech University earned the #23 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $19,588 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $50,509. That is a strong return on a $19,588 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Kansas State University earned the #24 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,641 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $53,751 early in their careers. Set against $19,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Michigan State University came in at #25 for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 34 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), 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
