[General Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general agriculture students.
Finding the Best Value General Agriculture School for You
The right general agriculture school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Agriculture Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Agriculture Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #1 spot for value among general agriculture schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $43,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for general agriculture. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Redlands Community College earned it the #3 place for general agriculture. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $14,682. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $45,166. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general agriculture, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the #6 spot for general agriculture value this year. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,092, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $24,249. General Agriculture graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $53,151 early in their careers. Set against $24,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #7 among the best values for general agriculture. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $39,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in general agriculture this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #9 for value in general agriculture this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Oklahoma State College landed the #10 spot for general agriculture value this year. Located in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public university. 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 general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College earned the #11 position for value in general agriculture this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University came in at #12 for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,200. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $42,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College earned the #13 position for value in general agriculture this year. 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 general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #14 for value in general agriculture this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Connors State College placed #15 among the best values for general agriculture. Connors State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warner. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of Connors State College earn a median of $47,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #16 for value in general agriculture this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $39,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Austin Peay State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $31,905. That is a strong return on a $18,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $22,993. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $26,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ellsworth Community College placed #19 among the best values for general agriculture. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $17,062. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $40,503. That is a strong return on a $17,062 median debt.
Western Kentucky University landed the #20 spot for general agriculture value this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $23,656. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $38,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #21 among the best values for general agriculture. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $28,285 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $32,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Eastern Oklahoma State College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Wilburton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,767, while out-of-state students pay about $8,383. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general agriculture program here. Median earnings reach $38,658 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College came in at #23 for value in general agriculture this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $43,408. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Illinois University landed the #24 spot for general agriculture value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $18,969. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $48,509. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College landed the #25 spot for general agriculture value this year. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,213, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Agriculture Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general agriculture:
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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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).
[General Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
