2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Southwest 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 63 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 Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in agriculture & agriculture operations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
For return on investment in agriculture & agriculture operations, no school beat El Centro College this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. 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 $15,044. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $37,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in agriculture & agriculture operations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $34,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #3 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for agriculture & agriculture operations. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Juan College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $43,730. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College came in at #6 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Palo Alto College earned the #7 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. That is a strong return on a $12,323 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #9 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $28,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $11,811. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,811 median debt.
Redlands Community College landed the #11 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
Lee College landed the #12 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #13 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Howard College came in at #14 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,242. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,965 median debt.
Tulsa Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Texas Community College landed the #17 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Northeast Texas Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,980, with out-of-state students paying around $5,620. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,089. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Northeast Texas Community College generally make around $37,839. Set against $15,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Junior College came in at #18 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hobbs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,440, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $9,986. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $50,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Oklahoma State College landed the #19 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #20 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,779, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $32,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,092, compared with $8,675 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $24,249. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $53,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College landed the #22 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Students borrow a median of $12,302 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Hill College earn a median of $39,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Yavapai College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,087. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weatherford College placed #24 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,099. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $48,208. Set against $14,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $18,558. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $30,278 early in their careers. Set against $18,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
