2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in California
[Agriculture & Agriculture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/) 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 106 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools.
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2026 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture & agriculture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations in California. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,288. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $40,929. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Reedley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #6 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. 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.
Hartnell College landed the #7 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. 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.
Shasta College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. 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.
Ventura College came in at #9 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College landed the #10 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College earned the #11 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College landed the #12 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Woodland Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $7,656. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,042 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno came in at #15 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,001. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $48,668 early in their careers. Set against $15,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #16 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $43,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Sierra College came in at #17 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #19 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College placed #20 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #21 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Bakersfield College earned the #22 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,419. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Foothill College landed the #23 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyamaca College placed #24 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,314. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.
Feather River Community College District came in at #25 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Feather River Community College District is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $1,465 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,435 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,142. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in agriculture & agriculture operations:
More Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings
View All Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
