2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Associate’s Degree 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural production operations students.
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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
Lake Land College earned the #1 spot for value among agricultural production operations schools in the United States. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hartnell College earned it the #2 place for agricultural production operations. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production operations will find it at Black Hawk College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,175. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $42,392. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #8 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $38,924 early in their careers. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Technical College came in at #10 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $17,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cloud County Community College landed the #11 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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.
Blue Mountain Community College came in at #12 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the town of Pendleton, Blue Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,076, with out-of-state students paying around $9,754. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $20,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Blue Mountain Community College generally make around $25,872. That is a strong return on a $20,615 median debt.
Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #13 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $20,876. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Puerto Rico Utuado placed #14 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the rural area of Utuado, University Of Puerto Rico Utuado is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Median earnings reach $23,906 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture landed the #15 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public school located in the rural area of Curtis. Students from in state pay about $5,926 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,629 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture generally make around $24,427. Set against $11,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #16 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $35,198. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $36,083 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Other Agricultural Production Operations Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Agricultural Production Operations rankings across degree levels:
View All Agricultural Production Operations Rankings >
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
