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Best Value Agriculture Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Berea College delivers the most affordable agriculture education in the country at just $4,483 net cost, though graduates earn $18,315 annually. This stark contrast highlights the complex value equation in agricultural education, where affordability doesn't always correlate with immediate earning potential. Public universities dominate this space, with costs ranging from $6,770 at Southern Utah University to $17,424 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The agriculture sector employs over 2.6 million Americans across farming, food production, and agribusiness, creating steady demand for trained professionals. Texas A&M University-Commerce graduates earn $40,318 while paying only $11,268, representing strong return on investment. University of Maryland graduates command the highest salaries at $50,439, reflecting the lucrative agricultural technology and research opportunities near Washington D.C. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 33% at Tennessee State University to 88.6% at University of Maryland, suggesting program rigor and student support levels differ substantially across institutions.
50
Programs
$4,483 – $32,337
Net Price Range
$35,570
Avg. Program Earnings
57.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Agriculture, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,483 $18,315 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
2 $10,204 $37,424 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
3 $11,268 $40,318 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
4 $11,592 $40,555 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
5 $10,299 $34,244 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
6 $15,590 $50,439 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
7 $11,257 $35,594 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
8 $10,026 $31,305 $8,568 33.0%
9 $14,838 $45,128 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
10 $10,916 $32,620 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
11 $14,824 $43,798 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
12 $10,089 $29,202 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
13 $11,432 $32,925 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
14 $17,424 $49,644 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
15 $12,030 $33,281 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
16 $16,025 $44,091 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
17 $12,063 $32,711 $7,838 41.6% 84.2%
18 $10,980 $29,685 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
19 $14,207 $38,289 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
20 $16,177 $41,295 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
21 $13,493 $33,993 $5,633 47.8% 88.0%
22 $15,270 $37,748 $9,118 43.4% 72.0%
23 $12,684 $30,771 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
24 $18,996 $44,542 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
25 $14,714 $33,993 $8,606 60.9% 84.5%
26 $16,438 $37,748 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
27 $20,924 $45,383 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
28 $18,219 $39,369 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
29 $15,624 $33,281 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
30 $20,841 $44,384 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
31 $20,071 $41,937 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
32 $19,740 $38,829 $9,940 28.5% 53.9%
33 $16,931 $33,281 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
34 $15,847 $30,409 $5,785 51.9% 32.9%
35 $17,502 $33,281 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
36 $14,041 $26,625 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
37 $10,705 $20,140 $6,900 21.5%
38 $14,846 $27,403 $8,675 44.5% 93.8%
39 $15,745 $28,309 $10,314 38.7% 54.9%
40 $17,722 $31,314 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
41 $19,889 $32,925 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
42 $19,568 $31,314 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
43 $23,790 $30,409 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
44 $32,337 $36,848 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
45 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
46 $23,519 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
47 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
48 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
49 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
50 $12,386 $5,354 24.6% 68.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $32,124 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying agriculture programs?

University of Maryland graduates earn $50,439 compared to Berea College's $18,315, reflecting regional job markets and program focus. Maryland's proximity to federal agencies, research institutions, and agribusiness headquarters creates higher-paying opportunities. Berea's work-college model emphasizes service over salary maximization. Geographic location significantly impacts agricultural career earnings potential.

How do public university costs compare across different states for agriculture majors?

In-state tuition ranges from $6,770 at Southern Utah University to $14,952 at Western Illinois University, a $8,182 difference. Texas schools like A&M-Kingsville charge $9,892 while Tennessee-Martin costs $10,208. Net costs after aid typically fall between $10,000-$15,000 for most public institutions. State funding levels and regional cost of living drive these variations.

Is the 24.58% acceptance rate at Berea College typical for agriculture programs?

Berea College's selectivity stands out dramatically among agriculture programs, where most schools accept 75-97% of applicants. Texas A&M-Kingsville accepts 96.55% while Western Kentucky accepts 96.95%. Berea's work-college model and need-based admissions create unique competition. Most agriculture programs maintain open or minimally selective admission policies to meet industry workforce demands.

Does student debt burden vary significantly among affordable agriculture programs?

Debt levels range from $14,750 at California State University-Chico to $26,751 at Tennessee State University among schools with available data. Texas A&M-Commerce graduates carry $19,181 in debt while earning $40,318, creating manageable debt-to-income ratios. Schools with higher graduation rates typically show lower debt burdens. Financial aid packaging varies considerably across institutions and states.

Where do agriculture graduates find the best earning potential relative to program costs?

Texas A&M-Commerce offers strong value with $40,318 earnings against $11,268 net cost, creating nearly 4:1 annual return ratios. University of Maryland provides the highest absolute earnings at $50,439 but costs $15,590. California State University-Chico delivers $45,128 earnings for $14,838 investment. Geographic job markets and program specializations significantly influence post-graduation earning potential.

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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.