2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in Illinois
[Agriculture & Agriculture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong agriculture & agriculture operations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools.
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2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture & agriculture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for agriculture & agriculture operations in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #2 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,142 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $8,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Spoon River College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kishwaukee College earned it the #4 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,328. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #6 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Black Hawk College earned the #7 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. 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 placed #8 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College earned the #9 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #10 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Wood Community College earned the #11 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,844. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $45,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. 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, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,168. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $39,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Rend Lake College landed the #14 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $42,770. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #15 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. Set against $8,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,260, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College placed #18 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Illinois University earned the #19 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $18,969. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $48,509 early in their careers. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Heartland Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Central College came in at #21 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox College Inc ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,670. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,722. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $36,853. That is a strong return on a $14,722 median debt. Fox College Inc admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #23 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $18,509 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $50,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $18,920 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $35,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,920 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois College placed #25 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $26,922. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,922 median debt. Illinois College admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for agriculture & agriculture operations this year:
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
