2027 Best Value Agriculture Schools in the Southwest Region
[Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/agriculture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for agriculture students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Agriculture Schools in the Southwest Region
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 Redlands Community College this year. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,682 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #2 spot this year. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,092 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $24,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Oklahoma State College earned it the #4 place for agriculture. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $9,758. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the agriculture program here. Agriculture graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. Set against $14,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Connors State College placed #6 among the best values for agriculture. 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. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $10,375 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Connors State College earn a median of $47,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. 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.
Eastern Oklahoma State College came in at #8 for value in agriculture 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,383. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,658. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Blinn College placed #9 among the best values for agriculture. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #10 for value in agriculture this year. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College generally make around $46,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $46,268. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Langston University placed #12 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,863, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Students borrow a median of $28,310 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $45,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #13 spot for agriculture value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $45,224. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Murray State College landed the #14 spot for agriculture value this year. Murray State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tishomingo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,230, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Murray State College generally make around $43,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #15 spot for agriculture value this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #16 spot for agriculture value this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $38,063. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University earned the #17 position for value in agriculture this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #18 for value in agriculture this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $20,699 in student loans. Agriculture graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,994 early in their careers. Set against $20,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in agriculture this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $22,337. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University placed #20 among the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $13,460. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $45,300. That is a strong return on a $13,460 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $59,625. That is a strong return on a $18,585 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
