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Agricultural Production Operations Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

College of the Ozarks stands out among agricultural production programs with a $7,669 net cost despite its private status, making it more affordable than several public universities on this list. The school achieves this through its unique work-study model where students work on campus to offset tuition costs. Agricultural production graduates from these 15 programs earn between $26,739 and $43,426 annually, with Wyoming and Utah State leading at nearly $40,000. The wide cost range spans from $6,500 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $12,869 at Utah State, reflecting different state funding approaches and regional economies. Many of these programs operate in states where agriculture drives local economies, particularly in the Great Plains and Southwest regions where large-scale farming operations create steady demand for production specialists. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 24.6% at University of Puerto Rico-Utuado to 61.3% at College of the Ozarks, often correlating with the hands-on support systems each institution provides to agriculture students.
42
Programs
$6,500 – $19,899
Net Price Range
$38,105
Avg. Program Earnings
56.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

42 Agricultural Production Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
2 $6,520 $1,465 46.9%
3 $7,557 $7,922 26.1%
4 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
5 $8,343 $6,513 47.5%
6 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
7 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
8 $10,874 $13,120 49.7% 57.2%
9 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
10 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
11 $11,679 $9,019 39.7% 69.3%
12 $11,779 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
13 $12,386 $5,354 24.6% 68.0%
14 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
15 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
16 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
17 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
18 $13,710 $29,982 68.2% 77.5%
19 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
20 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
21 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
22 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
23 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
24 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
25 $15,501 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
26 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
27 $16,334 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
28 $16,544 $7,824 25.6% 88.8%
29 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
30 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
31 $17,218 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
32 $17,393 $8,769 31.9% 87.2%
33 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
34 $17,893 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
35 $18,045 $12,606 56.4% 94.0%
36 $18,217 $12,640 57.0% 94.3%
37 $18,219 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
38 $18,225 $16,530 17.6% 94.3%
39 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
40 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
41 $19,037 $37,732 56.6% 96.5%
42 $19,899 $16,408 71.0% 76.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so affordable compared to other agricultural programs?

College of the Ozarks requires all students to work 15 hours per week on campus, which significantly reduces their tuition burden. This work-study model results in a $7,669 net cost despite being a private institution. The school operates farms, greenhouses, and other agricultural facilities where students gain practical experience while earning their education. This approach makes it more affordable than many public alternatives while providing direct industry training.

How do earnings vary between the most and least expensive programs?

University of Minnesota-Crookston graduates earn $26,739 annually with a $10,874 net cost, while University of Wyoming graduates earn $39,729 with an $11,779 net cost. Utah State shows similar high earnings at $39,909 for a $12,869 investment. The data suggests that slightly higher program costs often correlate with better post-graduation earning potential. Western schools generally show stronger salary outcomes than those in other regions.

Where can students find the lowest net costs for agricultural production programs?

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers the lowest net cost at $6,500, followed closely by Feather River Community College District at $6,520. Both schools benefit from strong state funding and serve agricultural regions with high industry demand. Texas and California both have large agricultural sectors that support affordable education options. Community colleges like Feather River often provide the most budget-friendly entry points into agricultural careers.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in agricultural production?

College of the Ozarks achieves the highest graduation rate at 61.3% with its $7,669 net cost, while University of Puerto Rico-Utuado has the lowest at 24.6% despite a higher $12,386 cost. University of Wyoming shows strong performance with 59.8% graduation rates for $11,779. The data suggests that institutional support systems and student engagement matter more than pure cost. Schools with hands-on agricultural facilities tend to show better retention.

What regional advantages do Western agricultural programs offer students?

Western schools like University of Wyoming and Utah State show the strongest earnings potential, with graduates earning near $40,000 annually. These states host large-scale ranching operations, crop production facilities, and agricultural technology companies that actively recruit graduates. Wyoming's energy sector also creates agricultural jobs in land management and environmental compliance. The combination of varied agricultural industries and higher regional wages makes Western programs particularly attractive for career outcomes.

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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.