2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 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 North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the agriculture & agriculture operations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
For return on investment in agriculture & agriculture operations, no school beat Wilkes Community College 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland Community College earned it the #2 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pamlico Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,712, with out-of-state students paying around $12,928. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,005.
Wayne Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Community College placed #6 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,899 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $37,915. That is a strong return on a $9,899 median debt.
Sandhills Community College came in at #8 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Nash Community College landed the #9 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #10 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Stanly Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Surry Community College landed the #12 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Gaston College came in at #14 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $35,658. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #15 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Randolph Community College placed #16 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.
Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #17 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $38,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brunswick Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,553, with out-of-state students paying around $8,697. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Brunswick Community College generally make around $47,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bladen Community College landed the #19 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Bladen Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Dublin. Students from in state pay about $2,314 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,905 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Bladen Community College generally make around $45,752. Set against $9,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Isothermal Community College came in at #20 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,030, while out-of-state students pay about $6,638. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Carteret Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the town of Morehead City, Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $8,222. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $5,566. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Carteret Community College earn a median of $48,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,566 median debt.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #22 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $28,047 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $35,646 early in their careers. Set against $28,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College landed the #23 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $2,882 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $18,883. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $36,095. Set against $18,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery Community College placed #24 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the rural area of Troy, Montgomery Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,538, while out-of-state students pay about $8,682. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $38,983.
Appalachian State University placed #25 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $21,992. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $38,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% 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 list is compiled 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.
