[Food Processing](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-processing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for food processing students.
Finding the Best Value Food Processing School for You
Where you study food processing affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Food Processing Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Food Processing Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Garden City Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value food processing schools in the United States. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Food Processing graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Food Processing graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes College Of Micronesia Fsm one of the best values for food processing. Located in Pohnpei, FM, College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,050 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,651 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in food processing will find it at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, compared with $9,026 for out-of-state students. Food Processing graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Early-career food processing graduates make about $37,459. That is a strong return on a $18,883 median debt.
Kansas State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value food processing schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Food Processing graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Food Processing graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $76,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Texas A And M University College Station is a great value for students pursuing a degree in food processing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Food Processing graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, food processing degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Morningside College earned the #6 position for value in food processing this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,519 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,969 to complete the food processing program here. Soon after graduation, food processing degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $48,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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).
[Food Processing](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/food-processing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
