2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Agriculture & Agriculture Operations](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for agriculture & agriculture operations students.
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2027 Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Central Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Colby Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $36,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,732. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $11,886. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $26,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Garden City Community College one of the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #6 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $7,934. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $37,631. That is a strong return on a $7,934 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College placed #7 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $12,990 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $56,322. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #8 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $10,748. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $42,642. Set against $10,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College placed #9 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,575 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $38,992 early in their careers. Set against $10,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College earned the #10 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,664. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value agriculture & agriculture operations schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $15,866. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College earned the #12 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $11,424. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $38,999. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #13 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,507. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $44,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College landed the #14 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $13,139. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of South Central College earn a median of $46,447 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #15 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,630 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $40,904 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #16 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $48,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #17 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $17,001. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $47,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College landed the #18 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt.
Crowder College earned the #19 position for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $26,121. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Ridgewater College came in at #20 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $10,959 in student loans. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $44,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,959 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #21 among the best values for agriculture & agriculture operations. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the agriculture & agriculture operations program here. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #22 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Soon after graduation, agriculture & agriculture operations degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #23 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $46,106. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bismarck State College came in at #24 for value in agriculture & agriculture operations this year. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $12,000. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $38,623. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #25 spot for agriculture & agriculture operations value this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Typical student debt for agriculture & agriculture operations graduates is $14,118. Early-career agriculture & agriculture operations graduates make about $32,901. Set against $14,118 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:
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. 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
