2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Associate’s Degree Schools
[Agricultural Production](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/agricultural-production/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for agricultural production students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural production, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Production Schools
Leading the list is Lake Land College, our #1 best value for agricultural production in the United States. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in agricultural production will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $17,075. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $10,288. Agricultural Production graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Modesto Junior College earned it the #4 place for agricultural production. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hartnell College earned it the #5 place for agricultural production. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $6,000. Agricultural Production graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College landed the #6 spot for agricultural production value this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Agricultural Production graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College earned the #8 position for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College placed #10 among the best values for agricultural production. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $45,032. That is a strong return on a $9,024 median debt.
Black Hawk College came in at #11 for value in agricultural production this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $11,340. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $44,286. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #12 for value in agricultural production this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #13 position for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $6,500. Agricultural Production graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the agricultural production program here. Agricultural Production graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $33,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #15 for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $14,935. Agricultural Production graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Agricultural Production graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $42,392. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Walla Walla Community College earned the #17 position for value in agricultural production this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,279 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,700. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $15,500. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $46,131. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $12,043. Agricultural Production graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earned the #19 position for value in agricultural production this year. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,260, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College generally make around $38,331. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College placed #21 among the best values for agricultural production. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #22 among the best values for agricultural production. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $14,348. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $38,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Hills College Coalinga ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. West Hills College Coalinga is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Coalinga. Students from in state pay about $1,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,954 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from West Hills College Coalinga generally make around $41,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College landed the #24 spot for agricultural production value this year. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,062 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $40,503. That is a strong return on a $17,062 median debt.
Feather River Community College District placed #25 among the best values for agricultural production. Located in the rural area of Quincy, Feather River Community College District is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,465, while out-of-state students pay about $10,435. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $14,750. Median earnings reach $38,142 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for agricultural production this year:
Other Agricultural Production Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Agricultural Production rankings across degree levels:
View All Agricultural Production Rankings >
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
