[Agricultural Mechanization](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural mechanization students.
Finding the Best Value Agricultural Mechanization School for You
Where you study agricultural mechanization affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Lake Land College tops our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools in the United States. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $53,448. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural mechanization will find it at Shasta College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural mechanization, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $43,446 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spoon River College earned it the #5 place for agricultural mechanization. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
Kishwaukee College came in at #6 for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $30,398. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
Merced College earned the #7 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,024 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #8 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Scott Community College placed #9 among the best values for agricultural mechanization. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $56,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
John Wood Community College earned the #10 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earned the #12 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Set in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,368 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $46,038. That is a strong return on a $22,368 median debt. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College admits about 76% of applicants.
Parkland College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #14 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #15 spot for agricultural mechanization value this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $49,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College earned the #16 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College placed #17 among the best values for agricultural mechanization. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $54,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #18 spot for agricultural mechanization value 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. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $12,553. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $62,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,553 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $56,331 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College landed the #20 spot for agricultural mechanization value this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $53,350. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Central College landed the #21 spot for agricultural mechanization value this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #22 for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $12,112. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $44,467. That is a strong return on a $12,112 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College placed #23 among the best values for agricultural mechanization. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Technical Institute came in at #24 for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Set in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. 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.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,270 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $58,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,270 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agricultural mechanization value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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 Mechanization](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
