Best colleges for Botany/Plant Biology in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Davis and University of California-Riverside award the most Botany/Plant Biology degrees and certificates in California: 31, 29 and 29 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 California colleges offer Botany/Plant Biology and award 116 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Botany/Plant Biology program focuses on the study of plants, encompassing their growth, reproduction, and evolution over billions of years. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complex interactions within…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,713 | 25 | 49% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Botany/Plant Biology degrees in California
Top 4 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 31 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of California-Davis Davis Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 4 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata Public | 25 | $30,713 |
ShowHide the other 1 California colleges offering Botany/Plant Biology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont Graduate University (Graduate only) | Claremont | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Soil and Plant Scientists (SOC 19-1013).
Top skills
What Soil and Plant Scientists earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Botany/Plant Biology programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Botany/Plant Biology degrees?+
University of California-Berkeley (31 graduates a year), University of California-Davis (29 graduates a year) and University of California-Riverside (29 graduates a year) award the most Botany/Plant Biology degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 California colleges offer Botany/Plant Biology.
Which Botany/Plant Biology program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt tops the list at $30,713. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Soil and Plant Scientists earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in California is $99,260 (median $91,930), across about 1,440 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Botany/Plant Biology program?+
The Botany/Plant Biology program focuses on the study of plants, encompassing their growth, reproduction, and evolution over billions of years. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complex interactions within…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, speaking, science, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Soil and Plant Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +5.4% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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