California · Plant Sciences

Best Plant Sciences institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Plant Sciences program focuses on the study of plants, their growth, reproduction, and evolution, encompassing a wide range of topics within agricultural, animal, and veterinary sciences. This program is ideal for students interested…

Institutions
15
offering CIP 01.11
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
296
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$44,038
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
58%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Soil and Plant Scientists
$91,660
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 6 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree
$63,1294886%$16,666
2California State University - Fresno
Fresno Public · Bachelor's degree
$60,4436957%$13,000
3California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona Public · Bachelor's degree
$46,1522668%$13,500
4California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt
Arcata Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,0381249%
5California State University - Chico
Chico Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,9443163%$15,000
6University of California - Davis
Davis Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,8735486%

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Soil and Plant Scientists (SOC 19-1013).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+5.4%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$71,410
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionSpeakingScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningActive Listening

What Soil and Plant Scientists earn in California

Jobs in California
1,710
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$91,660
median $80,960
Best-paying metro
$118,480
Modesto, CA

Related careers

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$62,400 avg · 10,680 jobs
Agricultural Technicians
$56,040 avg · 3,100 jobs
Conservation Scientists
$87,840 avg · 1,940 jobs
Soil and Plant Scientists
$91,660 avg · 1,710 jobs
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
$121,310 avg · 1,340 jobs
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$105,760 avg · 460 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Plant Sciences programs in California.

Which Plant Sciences program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo tops the list at $63,129. Compare it against completions, 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 $91,660 (median $80,960), across about 1,710 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Plant Sciences program?+

The Plant Sciences program focuses on the study of plants, their growth, reproduction, and evolution, encompassing a wide range of topics within agricultural, animal, and veterinary sciences. This program is ideal for students interested…

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).

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