by our College Data Analytics Team
[Agriculture & Agriculture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 284 schools to find the best return on investment for agriculture & agriculture operations students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture & agriculture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williamson College Of The Trades tops our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,611. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture & agriculture operations will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $16,040. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $40,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in agriculture & agriculture operations will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $36,988. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Macomb Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $38,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $36,824. Set against $8,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College landed the #6 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $18,830. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $38,422 early in their careers. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College landed the #7 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #8 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $35,698. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #9 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College placed #10 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,819 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $34,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,819 median debt.
Shasta College landed the #11 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #12 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #13 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #14 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $37,387. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College placed #15 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #16 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #17 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $5,707. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Tarrant County College District placed #18 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,148. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College came in at #19 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College landed the #20 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College came in at #21 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College earned the #22 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,148. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $29,260 early in their careers. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College landed the #23 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $43,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $32,820. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $9,899 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Set against $9,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agriculture & agriculture operations value ranking:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in agriculture & agriculture operations:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Redlands Community College | El Reno, OK | Full Report |
| #52 | Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | Full Report |
| #53 | Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | Full Report |
| #54 | Kaskaskia College | Centralia, IL | Full Report |
| #55 | Nash Community College | Rocky Mount, NC | Full Report |
| #56 | Bridgevalley Community And Technical College | South Charleston, WV | Full Report |
| #57 | Gaston College | Dallas, NC | Full Report |
Explore the best-value agriculture & agriculture operations schools at other degree levels:
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 · 284 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 284 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.