2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural economics students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Economics Schools
Riverland Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at South Central College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Agricultural Economics graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes St Cloud Technical And Community College one of the best values for agricultural economics. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $16,734. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $48,652. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes North Iowa Area Community College one of the best values for agricultural economics. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the agricultural economics program here. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics will find it at Central Lakes College Brainerd, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $14,479 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $44,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Agricultural Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #7 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $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 Nebraska Lincoln landed the #8 spot for agricultural economics value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career agricultural economics graduates make about $53,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #9 position for value in agricultural economics this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $19,641. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $75,263. Set against $19,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #10 spot for agricultural economics value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics graduates is $17,499. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $58,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
