North Carolina · Plant Sciences

Best colleges for Plant Sciences in North Carolina

Ranked by graduate earnings

North Carolina State University at Raleigh and University of Mount Olive award the most Plant Sciences degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 111 and 2 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 North Carolina colleges offer Plant Sciences and award 113 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…

Institutions
2
offering CIP 01.11
States offered
47
with a program page
Degrees / yr
113
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$42,008
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$16,473
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
68%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Soil and Plant Scientists
$85,790
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
1North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,00811185%—$22,156

Colleges awarding the most Plant Sciences degrees in North Carolina

Top 2 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)
1North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public
111$42,008
2University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive Private not-for-profit
2Not reported

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 North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
570
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$85,790
median $76,330
Best-paying metro
$90,370
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Related careers

Farm and Home Management Educators
$64,690 avg · 910 jobs
Soil and Plant Scientists
$85,790 avg · 570 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$60,840 avg · 560 jobs
Agricultural Technicians
$50,170 avg · 550 jobs
Conservation Scientists
$72,190 avg · 540 jobs
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$101,170 avg · 500 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Plant Sciences programs in North Carolina.

Which North Carolina colleges award the most Plant Sciences degrees?+

North Carolina State University at Raleigh (111 graduates a year) and University of Mount Olive (2 graduates a year) award the most Plant Sciences degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 North Carolina colleges offer Plant Sciences.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, North Carolina State University at Raleigh tops the list at $42,008. 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 North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in North Carolina is $85,790 (median $76,330), across about 570 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.

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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