2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools in Iowa
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agricultural production students.
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2027 Best Value Agricultural Production Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agricultural production, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agricultural Production Schools
Kirkwood Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Iowa Area Community College earned it the #2 place for agricultural production. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Indian Hills Community College one of the best values for agricultural production. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $15,390. Agricultural Production graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,348 to complete the agricultural production program here. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $38,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. 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. Agricultural Production graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value agricultural production schools. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Typical student debt for agricultural production graduates is $16,126. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #7 among the best values for agricultural production. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the agricultural production program here. Agricultural Production graduates of Iowa Lakes Community College earn a median of $46,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt.
Maharishi University Of Management earned the #8 position for value in agricultural production this year. Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $16,530 in tuition and fees. Early-career agricultural production graduates make about $73,644. Maharishi University Of Management admits about 96% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #9 among the best values for agricultural production. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the agricultural production program here. Soon after graduation, agricultural production degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
More Agricultural Production Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
