2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools in the Southeast Region

[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 10 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural production operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Production Operations Schools
Henderson Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,528 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Henderson Community College earn a median of $40,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,528 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production operations will find it at Elizabethtown Community And Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $12,245. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $45,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Owensboro Community And Technical College earned it the #3 place for agricultural production operations. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,098 to complete the agricultural production operations program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $40,462. Set against $9,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for agricultural production operations. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. 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. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $40,047 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production operations will find it at Piedmont Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. 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.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #6 among the best values for agricultural production operations. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $26,267 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $35,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,267 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville landed the #7 spot for agricultural production operations value this year. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production operations graduates is $13,146. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. Set against $13,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #8 position for value in agricultural production operations this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Agricultural Production Operations graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $35,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production operations schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #10 among the best values for agricultural production operations. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Agricultural Production Operations graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $36,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.