[Agricultural Economics & Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 167 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics & business students.
Finding the Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business School for You
The right agricultural economics & business school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in agricultural economics & business, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics & business will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #2. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for agricultural economics & business. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics & business, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Shasta College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Modesto Junior College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Hartnell College earned the #7 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
University Of Florida earned the #8 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $16,218. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $49,371. Set against $16,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #9 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $50,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Merced College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Community College earned the #12 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $16,486. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $39,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $13,302. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black Hawk College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $11,340. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Wyoming College earned the #15 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,290, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $34,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,323. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College landed the #19 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho placed #20 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
North Central Texas College landed the #21 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. That is a strong return on a $15,965 median debt.
Stanly Community College placed #22 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Reedley College came in at #23 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $6,500. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laramie County Community College earned the #24 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $51,302. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #25 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agricultural economics & business value ranking:
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 · 167 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 167 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).
[Agricultural Economics & Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
