2026 Best Agricultural Production Operations Schools in Illinois
Agricultural Production Operations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for agricultural production operations students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Agricultural Production Operations in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall agricultural production operations education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Agricultural Production Operations
No school ranked higher than Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College this year for agricultural production operations. This large public university is located in the town of Olney. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College awarded about 22 agricultural production operations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the agricultural production operations program make about $38,331 in their early career. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans.
See the full agricultural production operations program report for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best agricultural production operations schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. There were roughly 18 agricultural production operations students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans.
Read more about the agricultural production operations program at Lake Land College
Black Hawk College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in agricultural production operations, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. Black Hawk College awarded about 19 agricultural production operations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, agricultural production operations degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete this degree.
Read more about the agricultural production operations program at Black Hawk College
Students looking for a strong agricultural production operations program will find one at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 15 agricultural production operations students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their agricultural production operations degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $40,118 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995.
Read more about the agricultural production operations program at Joliet Junior College
Highland Community College Freeport is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in agricultural production operations, ranking #5. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Freeport. There were roughly 10 agricultural production operations students who graduated with this degree at Highland Community College Freeport in the most recent data year. Graduates of the agricultural production operations program make about $46,384 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,783.
Read more about the agricultural production operations program at Highland Community College Freeport
More Agricultural Production Operations Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.
- 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.
