2027 Best Value General Agriculture Schools in the Southwest Region

[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 22 schools to find the best return on investment for general agriculture students.
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2027 Best Value General Agriculture Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general agriculture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Agriculture Schools
For return on investment in general agriculture, no school beat Redlands Community College this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,951. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $14,682 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $45,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general agriculture will find it at Howard College, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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 came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the general agriculture program here. 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.
Western Oklahoma State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. 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, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $14,654. 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.
Hill College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $12,302. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Connors State College landed the #6 spot for general agriculture value this year. Connors State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warner. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $10,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $47,964. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in general agriculture this year. 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. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $22,993 in student loans. 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.
Eastern Oklahoma State College placed #8 among the best values for general agriculture. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Wilburton. In-state tuition and fees average $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 placed #9 among the best values for general agriculture. 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. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $14,500. General Agriculture graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,213, compared with $11,363 for out-of-state students. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #11 among the best values for general agriculture. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Agriculture graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $46,268 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Langston University landed the #12 spot for general agriculture value this year. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $28,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Langston University generally make around $45,155. That is a strong return on a $28,310 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the general agriculture program here. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $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 general agriculture value this year. Murray State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tishomingo. Students from in state pay about $7,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $16,542. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $43,916. Set against $16,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #15 spot for general agriculture value this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $38,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University came in at #17 for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career general agriculture graduates make about $46,134. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #18 position for value in general 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $20,699. General 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general agriculture schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for general agriculture graduates is $22,337. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University earned the #20 position for value in general agriculture this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. General Agriculture graduates carry a median of $13,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general agriculture degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $45,300. Set against $13,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Tarleton State University placed #21 among the best values for general agriculture. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the general agriculture program here. General Agriculture graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #22 position for value in general agriculture this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,585 to complete the general agriculture program here. Soon after graduation, general 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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.