2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics Master’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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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 Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in agricultural economics in the United States. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $133,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for agricultural economics. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $19,641. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $96,774. That is a strong return on a $19,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at University Of Arkansas, which ranked #4. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $18,909. Agricultural Economics graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $54,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the best values for agricultural economics. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #6 among the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $48,557. That is a strong return on a $22,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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
The ranking above is published 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 6 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.
