2027 Best Value Agriculture Associate’s Degree Schools
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value agriculture schools.
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2027 Best Value Agriculture Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agriculture Schools
Leading the list is Redlands Community College, our #1 best value for agriculture in the United States. Located in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $14,682. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at Kaskaskia College, which ranked #2. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Howard College one of the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Oklahoma Panhandle State University one of the best values for agriculture. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $24,249. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $53,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $39,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #7 position for value in agriculture this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Western Oklahoma State College earned the #8 position for value in agriculture this year. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,122. That is a strong return on a $14,654 median debt.
Northeast Community College landed the #9 spot for agriculture value this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University placed #10 among the best values for agriculture. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Potomac State College Of West Virginia University generally make around $42,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College placed #11 among the best values for agriculture. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Connors State College earned the #12 position for value in agriculture this year. Connors State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $10,375. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $47,964. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.
Ellsworth Community College earned the #13 position for value in agriculture this year. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $40,503. Set against $17,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Oklahoma State College landed the #14 spot for agriculture value this year. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Wilburton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,767, with out-of-state students paying around $8,383. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $12,000. Median earnings reach $38,658 ten years out. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College earned the #15 position for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College placed #16 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,213, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $46,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,230, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,542 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Murray State College earn a median of $43,916 early in their careers. Set against $16,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College earned the #18 position for value in agriculture this year. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $12,271 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $54,373. That is a strong return on a $12,271 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,721. Agriculture graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Butler Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,404. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #21 among the best values for agriculture. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $37,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #22 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $49,781. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Other Agriculture Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Agriculture rankings across degree levels:
View All Agriculture 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
