2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in Illinois
[Agricultural Production Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/agricultural-production-operations-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value agricultural production operations schools.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in Illinois
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 Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $11,995. Early-career agricultural production operations graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for agricultural production operations. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. 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 Highland Community College Freeport, which ranked #3. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,783. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earned it the #5 place for agricultural production operations. 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. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $9,434. 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.
More Agricultural Production Operations Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
