2027 Best Value Agriculture Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value agriculture schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Agriculture Schools in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Northeast Community College the best value for a degree in agriculture in the The Plains States Region. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. 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.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $15,866. Agriculture graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Ellsworth Community College one of the best values for agriculture. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $17,062. Agriculture graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for agriculture. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $48,048. Set against $20,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $19,500. Agriculture graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $36,853 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson State University came in at #6 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $42,583. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #7 among the best values for agriculture. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $12,271. Agriculture graduates of Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of $54,373 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler Community College placed #8 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Agriculture graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #9 for value in agriculture this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $18,250. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $38,678. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $22,386. Agriculture graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,282 early in their careers. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $20,625. Soon after graduation, agriculture degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $35,737. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #12 position for value in agriculture this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,831 to complete the agriculture program here. Early-career agriculture graduates make about $37,449. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Dakota State University landed the #13 spot for agriculture value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $20,000. Agriculture graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $49,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #14 among the best values for agriculture. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for agriculture graduates is $21,818. Agriculture graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $42,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
