Michigan · Soil Sciences

Best colleges for Soil Sciences in Michigan

Ranked by graduate earnings

Michigan State University is the only Michigan college that awards Soil Sciences degrees and certificates: 39 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

The Soil Sciences program focuses on the study of soil as it relates to agricultural production, environmental health, and land management. This program is ideal for students interested in the science behind food and fiber production, as…

Institutions
1
offering CIP 01.12
States offered
27
with a program page
Degrees / yr
39
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$50,770
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
81%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Soil and Plant Scientists
$75,210
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree
$50,7703981%—$21,859

Colleges awarding the most Soil Sciences degrees in Michigan

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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public
39$50,770

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 Michigan

Jobs in Michigan
570
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$75,210
median $65,390
Best-paying metro
$84,050
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Related careers

Soil and Plant Scientists
$75,210 avg · 570 jobs
Agricultural Technicians
$51,100 avg · 450 jobs
Microbiologists
$80,240 avg · 370 jobs
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$134,860 avg · 240 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Soil Sciences programs in Michigan.

Which Michigan colleges award the most Soil Sciences degrees?+

Michigan State University is the only Michigan college that awards Soil Sciences degrees and certificates: 39 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions).

Which Soil Sciences program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Michigan State University tops the list at $50,770. 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 Michigan?+

The average annual wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Michigan is $75,210 (median $65,390), across about 570 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Soil Sciences program?+

The Soil Sciences program focuses on the study of soil as it relates to agricultural production, environmental health, and land management. This program is ideal for students interested in the science behind food and fiber production, as…

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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