2027 Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Agricultural Mechanization](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/agricultural-mechanization-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural mechanization students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural mechanization, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools
South Central College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural mechanization schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $13,139. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $12,553 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $62,531. That is a strong return on a $12,553 median debt.
Mitchell Technical Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural mechanization, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $55,301. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #4 place for agricultural mechanization. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $59,052. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural mechanization, landing the #5 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $20,946 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $63,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. 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, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $19,344. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $63,239. That is a strong return on a $19,344 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
South Dakota State University landed the #7 spot for agricultural mechanization value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $22,000. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $47,492. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $18,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $52,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
