2027 Best Value Agriculture Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for agriculture students.
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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
For return on investment in agriculture, no school beat California State University Stanislaus this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $43,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #2 place for agriculture. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $39,438 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Austin Peay State University one of the best values for agriculture. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $18,625. Agriculture graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $31,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $22,993 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $26,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $23,656 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $38,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #6 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,285 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $32,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in agriculture this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $18,969. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $48,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Fort Hays State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $48,048. That is a strong return on a $20,340 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #9 spot for agriculture value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $37,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mcneese State University came in at #10 for value in agriculture this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $37,887. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Truman State University came in at #11 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $36,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $41,646 early in their careers. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Langston University placed #13 among the best values for agriculture. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,863, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Students borrow a median of $28,310 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Langston University earn a median of $45,155 early in their careers. Set against $28,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $16,750. Agriculture graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $26,677 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #16 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $39,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo landed the #18 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,798 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $26,345 in student loans. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $35,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #19 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,915 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $33,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
California State University Chico came in at #20 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $45,591 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #21 position for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $24,759. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $42,197. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $37,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Dickinson State University earned the #23 position for value in agriculture this year. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $42,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
Delaware State University came in at #24 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $38,873 early in their careers. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University placed #25 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $38,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agriculture Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in agriculture:
Other Agriculture Degree Levels
Explore the best-value agriculture schools at other degree levels:
View All Agriculture Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
