2023 Best Value Agriculture Schools
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Agriculture & Agriculture Operations School for You
In 2020-2021, 49,899 people earned a degree or certificate in agriculture and agriculture operations, making the major the #21 most popular in the United States.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Agriculture Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 130 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for agriculture and agriculture operations students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Top 15% Best Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools
Our analysis found Ridgewater College to be the best value school for agriculture and agriculture operations students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Ridgewater College is a small public school located in the remote town of Willmar.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ridgewater College are $5,914 a year. Agriculture & Agriculture Operations majors at Ridgewater College take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Ridgewater College also did well on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Agriculture & Agriculture Operations at Ridgewater College Report
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeast Community College Area. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Agriculture Schools list. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Southeast Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $3,780 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, agriculture and agriculture operations majors at Southeast Community College accumulate an average of around $11,000 in student debt.
Full Agriculture & Agriculture Operations at Southeast Community College Area Report
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Out of the 130 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island.
Central Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,590 in tuition and fees each year.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Agriculture Schools list. BYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo.
BYU undergraduate students pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees each year.
BYU also claimed a spot on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Full Agriculture & Agriculture Operations at Brigham Young University - Provo Report
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bismarck State College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Agriculture Schools list. BSC is a small public school located in the small city of Bismarck.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BSC are $6,930 a year. On average, agriculture and agriculture operations graduates from BSC take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, BSC also did well on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value agriculture and agriculture operations programs. Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a fairly small public school located in the rural area of Curtis.
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture undergraduate students pay an average of $5,483 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that agriculture and agriculture operations majors at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture take out is $11,286.
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Northeast Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Agriculture Schools ranking. Northeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk.
Northeast undergraduate students pay an average of $5,010 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that agriculture and agriculture operations majors at Northeast take out is $9,834.
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Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Agriculture Schools list. Located in the town of Watertown, LATI is a public college with a small student population.
LATI undergraduate students pay an average of $6,718 in tuition and fees each year. On average, agriculture and agriculture operations graduates from LATI take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, LATI also did well on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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North Dakota State College of Science ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Agriculture Schools list. Located in the distant town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College of Science is a public college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Dakota State College of Science are $6,606 per year. After completing their degree, agriculture and agriculture operations graduates from North Dakota State College of Science carry an average student debtload of $11,000.
In addition to its great value ranking, North Dakota State College of Science is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Agriculture Schools list.
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Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Agriculture Schools list. Southwest Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Fennimore.
Southwest Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year.
Southwest Tech also claimed a spot on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
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With a ranking of #11, Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for agriculture and agriculture operations students. NICC is a small public school located in the rural area of Calmar.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NICC are $6,840 a year. After completing their degree, agriculture and agriculture operations graduates from NICC carry an average student debtload of $10,054.
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Kirkwood Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Agriculture Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a public school with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Kirkwood Community College are $7,072 a year. The average amount in student loans that agriculture and agriculture operations majors at Kirkwood Community College take out is $10,875.
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Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Agriculture Schools ranking. Located in the city of Eau Claire, CVTC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year.
CVTC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Agriculture Schools list.
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Brigham Young University - Idaho came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Agriculture Schools ranking. BYU - I is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Rexburg.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU - I are $4,416 a year. On average, agriculture and agriculture operations graduates from BYU - I take out $19,825 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Mitchell Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value agriculture and agriculture operations programs. Located in the rural area of Mitchell, Mitchell Tech is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Mitchell Tech are $7,524 a year. After completing their degree, agriculture and agriculture operations graduates from Mitchell Tech carry an average student debtload of $12,000.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Mitchell Tech also did well on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Fox Valley Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value agriculture and agriculture operations programs. FVTC is a large public school located in the midsize suburb of Appleton.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at FVTC are $6,861 a year.
FVTC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Agriculture Schools list.
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With a ranking of #17, North Shore Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for agriculture and agriculture operations students. Located in the large suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a public school with a small student population.
North Shore Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,920 in tuition and fees each year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Shore Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Agriculture Schools ranking.
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Southeast Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Agriculture Schools list. Located in the rural area of Sioux Falls, Southeast Tech is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Southeast Tech are $7,650 a year.
Southeast Tech also claimed a spot on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Full Agriculture & Agriculture Operations at Southeast Technical College Report
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South Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for agriculture and agriculture operations students. It came in at #19 on the list. South Dakota State is a large public school located in the town of Brookings.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Dakota State are $12,809 per year. After completing their degree, agriculture and agriculture operations graduates from South Dakota State carry an average student debtload of $23,230. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $184, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
South Dakota State also claimed a spot on our Best Agriculture Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Agriculture & Agriculture Operations at South Dakota State University
Request InformationHonorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Agriculture Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN |
| 21 | Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA |
| 22 | University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima, OH |
| 23 | University of Minnesota - Crookston | Crookston, MN |
| 24 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati, OH |
| 25 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus | Fargo, ND |
| 26 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS |
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations by Region
View the Best Value Agriculture Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Rankings
Majors Related to Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | 8,646 |
| Animal Science | 8,294 |
| Agricultural Economics & Business | 8,098 |
| General Agriculture | 3,370 |
| Horticulture | 3,234 |
| Plant Sciences | 3,175 |
| Agricultural Production | 3,066 |
| Food Science Technology | 2,532 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 1,280 |
| Animal Services | 990 |
| Agricultural Public Services | 845 |
| Other Agriculture | 602 |
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs | 527 |
| Soil Sciences | 406 |
| Food Processing | 237 |
| International Agriculture | 122 |
| Veterinary Administrative Services | 118 |
Majors Similar to Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer & Information Sciences | 254,454 |
| Engineering | 198,468 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 177,778 |
| Engineering Technologies | 85,188 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 52,396 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to W.carter.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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