2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Master’s Degree Schools

[Agricultural Economics & Business](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-economics-business/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agricultural economics & business education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 399 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural economics & business students.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Economics & Business Schools in the United States
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
For return on investment in agricultural economics & business, no school beat Purdue University Main Campus this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $133,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural economics & business, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $45,821. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #3 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for agricultural economics & business. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural economics & business graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $59,953. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics & business will find it at University Of Arkansas, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,909 to complete the agricultural economics & business program here. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $54,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural economics & business will find it at Kansas State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $19,641 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $96,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,641 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #6 among the best values for agricultural economics & business. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $63,208 early in their careers. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $22,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural economics & business degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $48,557. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
American International College earned the #8 position for value in agricultural economics & business this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Agricultural Economics & Business graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Other Agricultural Economics & Business Degree Levels
Explore the best-value agricultural economics & business schools at other degree levels:
View All Agricultural Economics & Business Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 399 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.