New Mexico State University's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences took sixth place in a recent ranking by College Values Online as one of the nation’s best values among agriculture colleges.
The Best Value Agriculture Colleges ranking measured the top 30 agriculture schools in the country by comparing each school’s average 20-year net return on investment as calculated and posted by payscale.com. The schools also were rated on the cost of tuition, percentage of students receiving financial aid and the number of agricultural programs available at the school.
“This ranking is a direct recognition of the hard work and effort as well as the amazing dedication of all of the faculty and staff of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University,” said Interim Dean Jim Libbin. “It is also a major tribute to the leadership of our former dean, Lowell Catlett, who led the college during the decade before the announcement. We already knew this ranking to be true, now the rest of the country and world know what a true gem the NMSU College of ACES is.”
College Values Online noted that ranking the Best Value Agriculture Colleges is relevant for students today when one realizes that agriculture is still one of the largest industries in the United States. It noted that in 2010, $115 billion in agricultural goods were exported from the United States, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“The agriculture industry doesn’t just grow food. It also engineers food, evaluates soil, finds ways to minimize environmental impact, develops new methods for resource and energy conservation, and sells and markets agricultural products,” according to College Values Online. “And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The agricultural industry offers a huge number of career options, and we want to connect you with the top 30 agricultural degree programs that constitute the best value for your time and money investment.”
NMSU was rated ahead of numerous other larger universities, such as the University of California, Davis ( number 20), Penn State (number 22) and Colorado State University (number 26).
Information from NMSU