2027 Best Value General Agriculture Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Agriculture](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/general-agriculture/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 general agriculture students.
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2027 Best Value General Agriculture Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general agriculture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Agriculture Schools
Leading the list is California State University Stanislaus, our #1 best value for general agriculture in the United States. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $43,101 early in their careers. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general agriculture will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #2. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $19,500. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $39,438. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Peay State University earned it the #3 place for general 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $31,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for general agriculture. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $22,993. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $26,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general agriculture will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $23,656. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $38,804. Set against $23,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #6 for value in general agriculture this year. 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. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $28,285. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $32,301. That is a strong return on a $28,285 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University landed the #7 spot for general agriculture value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $18,969 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $48,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University landed the #8 spot for general agriculture value this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $20,340 to complete the general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $48,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,340 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #9 among the best values for general agriculture. 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, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $37,728. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mcneese State University came in at #10 for value in general agriculture this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $37,887. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Truman State University placed #11 among the best values for general agriculture. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $36,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #12 for value in general agriculture this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $22,875. General 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Langston University landed the #13 spot for general agriculture value this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,863, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $28,310. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $45,155. That is a strong return on a $28,310 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #14 position for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $39,700. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #15 among the best values for general agriculture. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $26,677. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $26,996. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $39,742. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Students borrow a median of $26,345 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $35,378. That is a strong return on a $26,345 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #19 position for value in general agriculture this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $14,915. General Agriculture graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $33,508 early in their careers. Set against $14,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
California State University Chico ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #21 spot for general agriculture value this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Alcorn State University landed the #22 spot for general agriculture value this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $37,771. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Dickinson State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $27,266. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $42,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Delaware State University placed #24 among the best values for general agriculture. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,670, while out-of-state students pay about $20,634. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $23,625. General Agriculture graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $38,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #25 spot for general agriculture value this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career general 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 General Agriculture Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general agriculture value ranking:
Other General Agriculture Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Agriculture rankings across degree levels:
View All General Agriculture Rankings >
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 · 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.
