2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Agriculture & Agriculture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for agriculture & agriculture operations students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture & agriculture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
Macomb Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools in the Great Lakes Region. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,862. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #3 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $8,142 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $8,980. That is a strong return on a $8,142 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $17,730. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,525. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #6 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $32,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College earned the #7 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Kankakee Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,289. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Kishwaukee College earned the #9 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #10 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black Hawk College placed #11 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College came in at #12 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College earned the #13 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $31,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College came in at #14 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $7,440. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage landed the #15 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,492. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College landed the #16 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Wood Community College came in at #17 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of John Wood Community College earn a median of $45,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #18 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $39,261 early in their careers. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State Community College landed the #19 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,406. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #20 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $11,384. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $35,981. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College landed the #21 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $39,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montcalm Community College came in at #22 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Montcalm Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sidney. Students from in state pay about $3,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,104 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $15,767 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Montcalm Community College earn a median of $49,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #23 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College placed #24 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $41,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #25 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s agriculture & agriculture operations value ranking:
Narrow Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools by State
More Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings
View All Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
