2026 Best Agricultural Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Agricultural Economics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools to find the best for agricultural economics students.
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Best Schools for Agricultural Economics in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the agricultural economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Agricultural Economics
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in agricultural economics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 54 agricultural economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their agricultural economics degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $49,868 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
More information about a degree in agricultural economics from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in agricultural economics, ranking #2. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 264 agricultural economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the agricultural economics program make about $55,934 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
See the full agricultural economics program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best agricultural economics schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 95 agricultural economics degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Agricultural Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $93,216 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
See the full agricultural economics program report for Purdue University Main Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 agricultural economics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their agricultural economics degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $42,656 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000.
Read more about the agricultural economics program at Ohio State University Main Campus
Lake Land College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best agricultural economics schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. There were roughly 17 agricultural economics students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Agricultural Economics graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans.
Get the full agricultural economics details for Lake Land College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #6 among the best agricultural economics schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. About 17 agricultural economics degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $40,194. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full agricultural economics details for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.
- 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.
