Best colleges for Plant Sciences in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Valley Community College and Southern Illinois University - Carbondale award the most Plant Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois: 56, 4 and 4 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Illinois colleges offer Plant Sciences and award 75 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
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 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,411 | 56 | 85% | — | $15,750 |
Colleges awarding the most Plant Sciences degrees in Illinois
Top 6 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 56 | $45,411 |
| 2 | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 3 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 4 | Kishwaukee College Malta Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 5 | Heartland Community College Normal Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 6 | Kankakee Community College Kankakee Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Plant Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triton College | River Grove | Public | 5 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Soil and Plant Scientists (SOC 19-1013).
Top skills
What Soil and Plant Scientists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Plant Sciences programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Plant Sciences degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (56 graduates a year), Illinois Valley Community College (4 graduates a year) and Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (4 graduates a year) award the most Plant Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Illinois colleges offer Plant Sciences.
Which Plant Sciences program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tops the list at $45,411. 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 Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Illinois is $89,520 (median $79,490), across about 820 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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).
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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