2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Agricultural Economics & Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural economics & business education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural economics & business students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural economics & business degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in agricultural economics & business in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for agricultural economics & business. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. 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.
Black Hawk College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics & business, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $44,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Wood Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Set in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $45,748. That is a strong return on a $13,844 median debt.
Edison State Community College came in at #6 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $15,406. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $43,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montcalm Community College earned the #7 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the rural area of Sidney, Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,936, while out-of-state students pay about $10,104. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $15,767. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Montcalm Community College generally make around $49,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College earned the #8 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $41,252. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Rend Lake College placed #9 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $8,688. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #10 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College landed the #11 spot for agricultural economics & business value this year. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $9,434. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College came in at #12 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Vincennes University placed #13 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $45,976. Set against $14,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Central College earned the #14 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #15 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $40,194 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #16 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $55,934. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $93,216. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #18 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $21,445. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $53,911. That is a strong return on a $21,445 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $15,276. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $54,473. That is a strong return on a $15,276 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,656. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $14,000. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $49,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Located in the town of Wooster, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,584 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,362. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $12,000. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $34,747. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois College placed #23 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $38,676. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Early-career agricultural economics & business graduates make about $41,184. That is a strong return on a $26,922 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural economics & business schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $24,125. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $57,023 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington College came in at #25 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Wilmington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,082. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $24,525 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Wilmington College earn a median of $41,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
