Cheapest Agricultural Production Operations Colleges

College of the Ozarks breaks the mold for affordable agricultural education with a net price of $7,669 despite its private nonprofit status, achieving this through its unique work program that eliminates tuition for most students. The school's 61.30% graduation rate outpaces many public alternatives while maintaining highly selective 21.13% acceptance standards. Agricultural production operations programs across these 20 institutions range from $6,500 to $13,945 annually, with graduates entering a sector that employs over 2.6 million Americans in farming, ranching, and agricultural support services. Texas leads representation with multiple affordable options, while regional specialization emerges clearly through schools like University of Minnesota-Crookston targeting northern crop production and University of Wyoming serving western livestock operations. The earnings potential spans $26,739 to $43,426, reflecting varied career paths from crop management to agricultural technology roles that support America's $400 billion agricultural economy.

Programs

$6,500 – $22,270

Net Price Range

$36,410

Avg. Program Earnings

57.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Agricultural Production Operations Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
2	Feather River Community College District Quincy, California	$6,520	$1,465	46.9%
3	Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, Oklahoma	$7,557	$7,922	26.1%
4	College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, Missouri	$7,669	$21,290	61.3%	21.1%
5	Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, Washington	$8,343	$6,513	47.5%
6	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, Connecticut	$8,896	$17,462	59.5%	97.9%
7	Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, Kentucky	$9,962	$10,130	49.7%	64.3%
8	University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, Minnesota	$10,874	$13,120	49.7%	57.2%
9	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
10	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, Connecticut	$11,504	$17,462	56.7%	97.4%
11	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679	$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
12	University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming	$11,779	$6,938	59.8%	96.0%
13	University of Puerto Rico-Utuado Utuado, Puerto Rico	$12,386	$5,354	24.6%	68.0%
14	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
15	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
16	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, Hawaii	$13,181	$12,186	62.6%	72.8%
17	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, Connecticut	$13,339	$17,452	65.4%	97.3%
18	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710	$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
19	University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho	$13,782	$8,816	60.9%	73.9%
20	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
21	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, Connecticut	$14,059	$17,472	56.9%	92.2%
22	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
23	Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas	$15,152	$10,600	51.7%	89.5%
24	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
25	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
26	University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona	$15,960	$13,626	65.9%	86.8%
27	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	$16,334	$10,857	63.7%	95.7%
28	Central State University Wilberforce, Ohio	$16,544	$7,824	25.6%	88.8%
29	University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California	$16,607	$14,560	74.5%	46.9%
30	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
31	University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky	$17,218	$13,212	69.9%	94.9%
32	SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, New York	$17,393	$8,769	31.9%	87.2%
33	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, Missouri	$17,502	$9,024	57.3%	92.6%
34	University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, North Carolina	$17,893	$25,950	47.5%	74.6%
35	University of Maine Orono, Maine	$18,045	$12,606	56.4%	94.0%
36	Unity Environmental University New Gloucester, Maine	$18,217	$12,640	57.0%	94.3%
37	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$18,219	$9,299	59.6%	86.1%
38	Maharishi International University Fairfield, Iowa	$18,225	$16,530	17.6%	94.3%
39	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
40	Salem State University Salem, Massachusetts	$18,441	$11,978	55.0%	92.7%
41	Centenary University Hackettstown, New Jersey	$19,037	$37,732	56.6%	96.5%
42	University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island	$19,899	$16,408	71.0%	76.4%
43	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
44	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133	$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
45	Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas	$20,261	$7,878	51.2%	87.1%
46	Montana State University Bozeman, Montana	$20,593	$8,083	57.3%	73.3%
47	Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin	$20,780	$42,491	43.3%	68.4%
48	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
49	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$22,112	$15,554	87.9%	43.0%
50	William Woods University Fulton, Missouri	$22,270	$28,860	57.0%	61.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks unusually affordable for a private college?

College of the Ozarks operates a mandatory work program where students contribute 15 hours weekly to campus operations in exchange for tuition coverage. This model produces a $7,669 net price that competes directly with public institutions while maintaining a 61.30% graduation rate. The school accepts only 21.13% of applicants, making it more selective than most agricultural programs. Students graduate debt-free in most cases, contrasting sharply with typical private college debt loads.

How do graduation rates compare between the most and least expensive programs?

University of Wyoming charges $11,779 but delivers a strong 59.80% graduation rate alongside $39,729 median earnings. In contrast, the cheapest option at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley costs $6,500 with a 49.30% graduation rate. Oklahoma Panhandle State University represents the lowest graduation rate at 26.10% while charging $7,557 annually. The data suggests higher costs often correlate with better completion rates, though exceptions like College of the Ozarks prove affordability and success can coexist.

Where do agricultural production graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Utah State University graduates command $39,909 median earnings while paying $12,869 in net costs, representing strong return on investment. University of Wyoming produces similar outcomes with $39,729 earnings for $11,779 in expenses. Eastern Kentucky University graduates earn $35,060 annually after paying $9,962 in net costs. Notably, University of Minnesota-Crookston shows the lowest earnings at $26,739, possibly reflecting regional agricultural wage differences in northern markets.

Does geographic location significantly impact program costs?

Texas schools dominate the affordable end with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at $6,500 and Texas A&M University-Commerce at $11,268 net costs. Western schools like University of Wyoming and Utah State University cluster around $12,000 despite higher living costs in those regions. Oklahoma Panhandle State University offers strong value at $7,557 in agricultural heartland territory. Community colleges like Feather River in California and Walla Walla in Washington provide ultra-low costs under $9,000 for regional agricultural training.

Is agricultural production operations education worth the investment at these price points?

Agricultural production operations graduates enter a stable sector with consistent food demand and evolving technology needs. Programs costing $6,500 to $13,945 annually represent reasonable investments compared to national average college costs exceeding $20,000. Graduate earnings between $26,739 and $43,426 typically cover education costs within 3-5 years. The agricultural sector's resilience during economic downturns and growing emphasis on sustainable farming practices suggest reliable career prospects for program completers.

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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.