2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Agricultural Production Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agricultural-production-operations-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural production operations students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural production operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Highland Community College Freeport earned it the #3 place for agricultural production operations. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. 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 Black Hawk College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,340. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $44,286. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College one of the best values for agricultural production operations. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earned the #6 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,260, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #7 for value in agricultural production operations this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,319. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $35,978. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
