2026 Best Value Agricultural Production Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Agricultural Production associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 289 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Agricultural Production Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Set in Curtis, NE, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,926. Graduates carry a median of $11,629 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture
Ridgewater College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Agricultural Production ranking in the United States. Ridgewater College is a public school based in Willmar, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical Agricultural Production student debt is $15,556. Ridgewater College alumni report median earnings of $43,827 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Ridgewater College report
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #3 on this year's best-value Agricultural Production ranking in the United States. Located in Calmar, IA, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $14,348 to complete their Agricultural Production program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,306 ten years after entry. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar profile
Kirkwood Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Agricultural Production ranking in the United States. Based in Cedar Rapids, IA, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. The median Agricultural Production program debt is $10,000. Median earnings reach $41,016 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Kirkwood Community College
You'll get strong value at Northeast Community College, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete their Agricultural Production program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,634. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northeast Community College
Mitchell Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Mitchell, SD. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,524. The median Agricultural Production program debt is $12,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,743 ten years after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Mitchell Technical Institute profile
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Typical Agricultural Production student debt is $12,112. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,470. Set against $12,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Based in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Chippewa Valley Technical College Agricultural Production students take on a median of $14,234 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,297 ten years after entry. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Chippewa Valley Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical Agricultural Production student debt is $13,319. Median earnings reach $45,684 ten years out. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Fox Valley Technical College
Northwest Mississippi Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Senatobia, MS, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Typical Agricultural Production student debt is $9,990. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,396 ten years after entry. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northwest Mississippi Community College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,698. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University has an acceptance rate of 55%. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tifton, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,368 to complete their Agricultural Production program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,996. That is a strong return on a $22,368 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Agricultural Production program debt is $12,000. North Carolina State University At Raleigh alumni report median earnings of $68,758 a decade after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Wooster, OH, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,584, while out-of-state students pay about $36,362. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,409 ten years after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
Lake Land College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Set in Mattoon, IL, Lake Land College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Lake Land College Agricultural Production students take on a median of $7,769 in debt. Median earnings reach $38,877 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Lake Land College report
Dordt College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Sioux Center, IA, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Typical Agricultural Production student debt is $21,812. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dordt College has an acceptance rate of 68%. Get the full Dordt College report
Niagara County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Based in Sanborn, NY, Niagara County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical Agricultural Production student debt is $11,000. Median earnings reach $42,285 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Niagara County Community College
Southern Maine Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Located in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical Agricultural Production student debt is $13,869. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,661 ten years after entry. Set against $13,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Southern Maine Community College
Southern Utah University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Set in Cedar City, UT, Southern Utah University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Southern Utah University Agricultural Production students take on a median of $12,886 in debt. Median earnings reach $50,296 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants. More on Southern Utah University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #21 among the best-value Agricultural Production schools in the United States. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. University Of Massachusetts Amherst alumni report median earnings of $71,631 a decade after entry. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Johnson And Wales University Providence came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in Providence, RI, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. The median Agricultural Production program debt is $26,350. Median earnings reach $43,418 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson And Wales University Providence has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read more about Johnson And Wales University Providence
Morrisville State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Based in Morrisville, NY, Morrisville State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $19,245. Morrisville State College Agricultural Production students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,295 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%. Read the full report on Morrisville State College
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Read more about Arizona State University
University Of Minnesota Crookston offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about University Of Minnesota Crookston
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Agricultural Production Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Arizona landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Arizona
Lake Superior State University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. More on Lake Superior State University
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Hopkinsville Community College
University Of Connecticut ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
Weatherford College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Read more about Weatherford College
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
Woodland Community College placed #33 among the best-value Agricultural Production schools in the United States. Get the full Woodland Community College report
Bennington College placed #34 among the best-value Agricultural Production schools in the United States. More on Bennington College
Otero Junior College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. See the full Otero Junior College profile
Pasadena City College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Pasadena City College
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Southwest Minnesota State University
Madisonville Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full Madisonville Community College report
Modesto Junior College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on Modesto Junior College
Davidson County Community College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Davidson County Community College
Bakersfield College placed #41 among the best-value Agricultural Production schools in the United States. More on Bakersfield College
Southeast Community College Area offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Southeast Community College Area
Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. Read more about Cabrillo College
Clovis Community College Fresno came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Clovis Community College Fresno report
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Walla Walla Community College placed #46 among the best-value Agricultural Production schools in the United States. See the full Walla Walla Community College profile
Gwinnett Technical College landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Gwinnett Technical College report
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southwestern Michigan College report
Utah State University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Agricultural Production schools. More on Utah State University
Southern Oregon University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Southern Oregon University
Related Agricultural Production Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Agricultural Production Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Agricultural Production Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Production Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Production Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Production Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Production Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Agricultural Production Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 289 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).