Best colleges for Botany/Plant Biology
Ranked by graduate earnings
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 median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,009 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,009 | 52 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,713 | 25 | 49% | — | — |
| 3 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,442 | 6 | 75% | — | $18,950 |
Specializations within Botany/Plant Biology
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 26.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Botany/CIP 26.0301
Plant Biology 543 graduates / yr39 institutions27 states - Plant Pathology/CIP 26.0305
Phytopathology 176 graduates / yr25 institutions24 states - Botany/CIP 26.0399
Plant Biology partial data61 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states - Plant Molecular BiologyCIP 26.0308limited data13 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Plant PhysiologyCIP 26.0307limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,009, College Scorecard (2019); 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card