2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
[Agricultural Production Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agricultural-production-operations-general/) 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 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural production operations students.
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Finding the Best Value Agricultural Production Operations School for You
The agricultural production operations program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Agricultural Production Operations 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.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agricultural production operations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural production operations schools in the United States. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production operations will find it at Hartnell College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $6,000. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henderson Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,528. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $40,259. That is a strong return on a $13,528 median debt.
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,783. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $46,384. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College earned the #6 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho landed the #7 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,245 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $45,486. That is a strong return on a $12,245 median debt.
Owensboro Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,098 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $40,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College came in at #10 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations 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.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $35,981. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #12 for value in agricultural production operations this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $42,392. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #13 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College placed #14 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College generally make around $38,331. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #15 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $40,047. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $38,924. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #17 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Piedmont Technical College landed the #18 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Students borrow a median of $17,652 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $36,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cloud County Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Located in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $12,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Cloud County Community College generally make around $53,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #20 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $9,090. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of $40,017 early in their careers. Set against $13,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. In-state tuition and fees average $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $26,267. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $35,490 early in their careers. Set against $26,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Mountain Community College placed #23 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Blue Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pendleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,076, compared with $9,754 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $20,615 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $25,872. Set against $20,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #24 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $46,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Puerto Rico Utuado placed #25 among the best values for agricultural production operations. University Of Puerto Rico Utuado is a small public school located in the rural area of Utuado. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Median earnings reach $23,906 ten years out. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agricultural production operations value ranking:
Narrow Agricultural Production Operations Schools by Region
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Agricultural Production Operations. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
