Agricultural Business and Management Colleges Under $20,000

The gap between agricultural education costs and career earnings creates compelling opportunities across these 15 affordable programs. University of Florida graduates earn $45,584 annually while paying just $6,351 net cost, while Northwestern Oklahoma State graduates average $27,476 with an $11,366 price tag. California dominates the lowest-cost options, with Cal State Bakersfield at $5,825 and Fresno State at $6,480. Agricultural business management connects directly to America's $1.8 trillion food and agriculture sector, where professionals manage everything from farm operations to food distribution networks. The Midwest and South offer particularly strong employment prospects, with agribusiness companies like Cargill, ADM, and Tyson Foods maintaining major operations throughout these regions. Graduation rates vary significantly, from Abraham Baldwin's 29.1% to Florida's 91.5%, suggesting program structure and support systems make substantial differences. These programs prepare students for roles in farm management, agricultural finance, commodity trading, and food supply chain coordination.

Programs

$5,825 – $14,626

Net Price Range

$39,433

Avg. Program Earnings

52.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Agricultural Business and Management Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Bakersfield Bakersfield, California	$5,825	$7,696	49.3%	86.6%
2	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Georgia	$6,061	$3,195	29.1%	67.0%
3	Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Portales, New Mexico	$6,199	$6,863	39.8%	27.6%
4	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
5	California State University-Fresno Fresno, California	$6,480	$6,980	54.8%	95.4%
6	New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, New Mexico	$6,747	$8,147	52.2%	78.1%
7	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, Idaho	$7,131	$4,656	55.1%	95.6%
8	Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, Oklahoma	$7,557	$7,922	26.1%
9	College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri	$7,669	$21,290	61.3%	21.1%
10	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, Connecticut	$8,896	$17,462	59.5%	97.9%
11	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
12	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
13	University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, Minnesota	$10,874	$13,120	49.7%	57.2%
14	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
15	Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma	$11,366	$5,970	35.4%	56.4%
16	Kent State University at Tuscarawas New Philadelphia, Ohio	$11,480	$7,272	37.1%
17	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, Connecticut	$11,504	$17,462	56.7%	97.4%
18	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
19	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
20	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, Louisiana	$11,633	$9,190	50.6%	70.1%
21	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679	$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
22	University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming	$11,779	$6,938	59.8%	96.0%
23	Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas	$12,171	$8,508	48.7%	94.4%
24	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	$12,209	$10,125	57.6%	62.4%
25	Lincoln University Jefferson City, Missouri	$12,484	$9,290	22.1%
26	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
27	University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Mayaguez, Puerto Rico	$12,684	$5,274	47.0%	54.4%
28	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
29	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915	$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
30	West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia	$12,997	$9,648	61.2%	88.4%
31	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%
32	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, Connecticut	$13,339	$17,452	65.4%	97.3%
33	Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas	$13,493	$5,633	47.8%	88.0%
34	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$13,670	$12,051	67.8%	89.8%
35	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710	$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
36	University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho	$13,782	$8,816	60.9%	73.9%
37	Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California	$13,801	$8,190	60.5%	94.0%
38	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
39	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
40	University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, Arkansas	$14,013	$8,868	43.3%
41	University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Maryland	$14,035	$8,898	34.6%	81.6%
42	Alcorn State University Alcorn State, Mississippi	$14,040	$8,549	46.2%	29.9%
43	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, Connecticut	$14,059	$17,472	56.9%	92.2%
44	Montana State University-Northern Havre, Montana	$14,164	$6,269	42.3%
45	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
46	Mayville State University Mayville, North Dakota	$14,454	$7,935	40.3%	71.2%
47	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, New York	$14,488	$8,862	52.7%	81.7%
48	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri	$14,532	$9,496	55.7%	86.3%
49	Alabama A & M University Normal, Alabama	$14,559	$10,024	28.7%	68.4%
50	Brescia University Owensboro, Kentucky	$14,626	$30,450	46.0%	50.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive graduation rate differences between programs?

University of Florida achieves a 91.5% graduation rate compared to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's 29.1%, highlighting how institutional resources affect student success. Florida's research university status provides extensive academic support systems and career services. Oklahoma Panhandle State sits at 26.1%, while College of the Ozarks reaches 61.3% despite similar rural settings. These variations often reflect admission selectivity, with Florida accepting just 23.35% of applicants versus Fresno State's 95.43% acceptance rate.

How do private agricultural programs compare financially to public options?

College of the Ozarks charges $21,290 sticker price but offers a $7,669 net cost through their work-study program where students work campus jobs. Brigham Young University-Idaho provides similar value at $7,131 net cost with a $4,656 in-state rate. Most public programs range from $5,825 to $11,366, making them consistently affordable. Private options often include unique experiential learning but require careful financial planning beyond the net price figures.

Where do agricultural business graduates find the highest starting salaries?

University of Minnesota-Crookston graduates average $50,856 annually, the highest among these programs, reflecting strong agribusiness opportunities in the upper Midwest. California State University-Fresno follows at $47,260, benefiting from the state's massive agricultural economy. Brigham Young University-Idaho graduates earn $49,136, demonstrating how agricultural technology and management roles pay well in potato and dairy regions. Northwestern Oklahoma State shows the lowest at $27,476, though the cost of living in rural Oklahoma significantly stretches those dollars.

Does program selectivity correlate with better career outcomes?

University of Florida accepts only 23.35% of applicants and produces graduates earning $45,584 with 91.5% graduation rates. However, less selective programs can offer strong value, with Fresno State accepting 95.43% while graduates earn $47,260. College of the Ozarks accepts 21.13% and graduates earn $30,409, showing selectivity doesn't guarantee higher earnings. The key appears to be regional agricultural strength rather than admission competitiveness.

What debt levels should students expect from these programs?

California State University-Fresno graduates carry just $13,279 in average debt while earning $47,260, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. University of Florida students graduate with $15,000 debt and $45,584 earnings, another strong financial position. University of Connecticut-Waterbury shows higher debt at $18,739 but graduates earn $43,798. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College students face $18,898 debt with limited earnings data, suggesting careful financial planning remains essential even at affordable programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.