2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in Illinois
[Agricultural Economics](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/agricultural-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural economics students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in Illinois
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 earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural economics schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $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. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. 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, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $20,000. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $55,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
More Agricultural Economics Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
