2026 Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools in California
[Agricultural Mechanization](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural mechanization students.
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2026 Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural mechanization degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools
Reedley College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural mechanization schools in California. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shasta College earned it the #2 place for agricultural mechanization. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bakersfield College earned it the #4 place for agricultural mechanization. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $9,419. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Modesto Junior College one of the best values for agricultural mechanization. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $8,575. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #6 spot for agricultural mechanization value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $73,053 early in their careers. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
More Agricultural Mechanization Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
