2026 Best Value Agriculture Schools in the Far Western Region
[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 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agriculture schools.
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2026 Best Value Agriculture Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agriculture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agriculture Schools
Leading the list is California State University Stanislaus, our #1 best value for agriculture in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $43,101. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for agriculture. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #3 place for agriculture. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Washington State University one of the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $85,908. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Chico one of the best values for agriculture. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo placed #6 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $26,345 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $35,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #7 spot for agriculture value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,918. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $64,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Oregon State University landed the #9 spot for agriculture value this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $39,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
