2027 Best Value Agricultural Mechanization Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Agricultural Mechanization](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-mechanization/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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
Fort Scott Community College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural mechanization schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural mechanization degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $56,322. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
Garden City Community College came in at #2 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $11,084. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural mechanization will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Central College earned it the #4 place for agricultural mechanization. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $13,139. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for agricultural mechanization. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $54,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State College Of Science placed #6 among the best values for agricultural mechanization. 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. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $12,553 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $62,531 early in their careers. Set against $12,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $56,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Technical Institute came in at #8 for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,524. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $55,301. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Lakes Community College earned the #9 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $46,937. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $59,052 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #11 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $20,946 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. Early-career agricultural mechanization graduates make about $63,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kansas State University placed #12 among the best values for agricultural mechanization. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,344 to complete the agricultural mechanization program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
South Dakota State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural mechanization schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Mechanization graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Agricultural Mechanization graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $47,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #14 position for value in agricultural mechanization this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for agricultural mechanization graduates is $18,479. 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. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
