2027 Best Value Agricultural Power Machinery Operation Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Agricultural Power Machinery Operation](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/agricultural-power-machinery-operation/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value agricultural power machinery operation schools.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Power Machinery Operation Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural power machinery operation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Power Machinery Operation Schools
South Central College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural power machinery operation 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 power machinery operation graduates is $13,139. Agricultural Power Machinery Operation graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #2 place for agricultural power machinery operation. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for agricultural power machinery operation graduates is $15,779. Soon after graduation, agricultural power machinery operation degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $54,829. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State College Of Science is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural power machinery operation, landing the #3 spot this year. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Students borrow a median of $12,553 to complete the agricultural power machinery operation program here. Early-career agricultural power machinery operation graduates make about $48,989. Set against $12,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned it the #4 place for agricultural power machinery operation. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the agricultural power machinery operation program here. Early-career agricultural power machinery operation graduates make about $56,331. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural power machinery operation will find it at Iowa Lakes Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Typical student debt for agricultural power machinery operation graduates is $20,876. Early-career agricultural power machinery operation graduates make about $46,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.