2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural economics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural economics students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $7,769. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #3 place for agricultural economics. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $40,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $55,934. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for agricultural economics. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $17,500. Agricultural Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $93,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in agricultural economics this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $16,000. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $42,656. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in agricultural economics this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. 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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.