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Agriculture Colleges Under $20,000

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

Berea College stands out as an extraordinary option for agriculture students, offering a net cost of just $4,483 despite its private status and highly selective 24.58% acceptance rate. This Kentucky institution demonstrates how work-study programs can make quality education accessible, contrasting sharply with public alternatives that range from $5,671 at Cal State Stanislaus to over $10,000 at several state universities. The earnings data reveals significant variation, with graduates from Texas A&M Kingsville earning $37,424 compared to $18,315 at Berea, reflecting different agricultural sectors and regional markets. Agriculture programs nationwide benefit from the industry's $1.8 trillion economic impact, creating opportunities in everything from sustainable farming practices to agricultural technology. These affordable programs prepare students for careers in crop production, livestock management, and agricultural business, with many graduates finding employment in the expanding organic food sector that grows 5-10% annually.
50
Programs
$4,483 – $15,270
Net Price Range
$33,307
Avg. Program Earnings
48.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Agriculture, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
2 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
3 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
4 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
5 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
6 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
7 $8,900 $9,214 27.1% 91.5%
8 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
9 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
10 $10,028 $8,990 37.7% 97.0%
11 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
12 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
13 $10,218 $1,410 5.5%
14 $10,299 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
15 $10,705 $6,900 21.5%
16 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
17 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
18 $11,257 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
19 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
20 $11,359 $6,728 17.5%
21 $11,432 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
22 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
23 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
24 $12,030 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
25 $12,063 $7,838 41.6% 84.2%
26 $12,386 $5,354 24.6% 68.0%
27 $12,484 $9,290 22.1%
28 $12,684 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
29 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
30 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
31 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
32 $13,493 $5,633 47.8% 88.0%
33 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
34 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
35 $14,035 $8,898 34.6% 81.6%
36 $14,040 $8,549 46.2% 29.9%
37 $14,041 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
38 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
39 $14,118 $10,418 52.0% 74.6%
40 $14,207 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
41 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
42 $14,553 $9,755 40.7% 89.7%
43 $14,559 $10,024 28.7% 68.4%
44 $14,714 $8,606 60.9% 84.5%
45 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
46 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
47 $14,846 $8,675 44.5% 93.8%
48 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
49 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
50 $15,270 $9,118 43.4% 72.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Berea College's agriculture program so affordable despite being private?

Berea College operates a unique work-study model where all students work on campus to offset tuition costs, resulting in a net price of $4,483. The college's endowment supports this approach, making it more affordable than most public agriculture programs. Despite the low cost, Berea maintains high academic standards with only a 24.58% acceptance rate. This model has helped the college serve students for over 150 years without compromising educational quality.

How do graduation rates compare across these affordable agriculture programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly, from Berea College's solid 62% to concerning rates below 30% at institutions like Kentucky State University (27.1%) and Dine College (5.5%). California State University-Stanislaus achieves 58% graduation rates while maintaining a 96.61% acceptance rate, showing that accessibility doesn't always mean lower completion. The University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus reaches 59.5% despite serving a non-traditional student population. These differences often reflect institutional resources, student support services, and regional economic factors.

Where do agriculture graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Texas A&M University-Kingsville leads with graduates earning $37,424, reflecting the state's large agricultural economy and oil-related agribusiness opportunities. The University of Tennessee-Martin follows at $34,244, benefiting from the region's varied farming operations. Tennessee State University graduates start at $31,305, while Morehead State University alumni earn $29,202. These salary differences often correspond to regional cost of living and local industry concentration.

Does attending a public university guarantee lower costs for agriculture students?

Not necessarily, as net costs vary widely among public institutions from $5,671 at Cal State Stanislaus to over $10,000 at several state schools. Private Berea College actually costs less than most public options at $4,483 due to its work-study model. In-state tuition ranges from $1,410 at Dine College to $17,462 at UConn-Waterbury, but net costs after financial aid tell a different story. Students should compare net prices rather than sticker prices when evaluating affordability.

What explains the wide range in acceptance rates among these programs?

Acceptance rates range from Berea College's selective 24.58% to Cal State Fresno's open 95.43%, reflecting different institutional missions and student populations. Highly selective programs like Eastern New Mexico (27.55%) often have limited capacity or specialized facilities. Most public agriculture programs maintain high acceptance rates above 80%, serving regional workforce needs. The variation typically reflects institutional resources, program capacity, and whether the school serves as a regional access point or specialized agricultural college.

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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.