by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural economics students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in agricultural economics, no school beat Clarendon College this year. Located in the rural area of Clarendon, Clarendon College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $5,400. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $14,789. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $46,745. That is a strong return on a $14,789 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for agricultural economics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $41,268. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at Oklahoma State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #4 makes Texas Tech University one of the best values for agricultural economics. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,588 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,509. Set against $19,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarleton State University earned it the #5 place for agricultural economics. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $45,097. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $56,859 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.