Best institutions to study Botany/Plant Biology
Compare 55 U.S. colleges offering Botany/Plant Biology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 38 states.
Botany/Plant Biology programs report a median of $33,009 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 26.03 and the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Botany/Plant Biology programs
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 ecosystems and the vital role plants play in our environment. It prepares students for various careers in research, conservation, and agriculture.
Students in this program gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework covers a range of topics including plant physiology, molecular biology, and ecology, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to address real-world challenges related to plant health and sustainability.
Top 3 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,442 | 6 | 75% | — | $18,950 |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,009 | 52 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,713 | 25 | 49% | — | — |
Offered across 38 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowalimited | 1 | $34,442 | Iowa State University |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | $33,009 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh |
| California | 5 | $30,713 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohio | 4 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utah | 3 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wyominglimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Botany/Plant Biology program can pursue careers in various fields, including agriculture, environmental science, and research. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 5.4% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $71,410, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Botany/Plant Biology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.03 (Botany/Plant Biology) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1013 | Soil and Plant Scientistsprimary |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Botany/Plant Biology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
- Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
- Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
- Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
- Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
- Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Concentrations within Botany/Plant Biology
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Botany/Plant BiologyCIP 26.0301
A program that focuses on the scientific study of plants, related microbial organisms, and plant habitats and ecosystem relations
- Plant Pathology/PhytopathologyCIP 26.0305
A program that focuses on the scientific study of plant diseases and plant health, and the development of disease control mechanisms
- Plant PhysiologyCIP 26.0307
A program that focuses on the scientific study of plant internal dynamics and systems, plant-environment interaction, and plant life cycles and processes
- Plant Molecular BiologyCIP 26.0308
A program that focuses on the application of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to the study of biomolecular structures, functions, and processes specific to plants and plant substances
- Botany/Plant Biology, OtherCIP 26.0399
Any instructional program in botany/plant biology not listed above.
Common questions
What is Botany/Plant Biology?+
It is the study of plants, focusing on their growth, reproduction, and evolution.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, scientific analysis, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
Careers include roles in agriculture, environmental science, and research.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is positive, with a growth rate of 5.4% and about 1,700 annual openings.
How much do Botany/Plant Biology graduates earn?+
Botany/Plant Biology graduates report median earnings of $33,009 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation pays about $87,720 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Botany/Plant Biology?+
Botany/Plant Biology maps to CIP 26.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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