Best institutions to study Botany/Plant Biology
Any instructional program in botany/plant biology not listed above.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 61 Botany/Plant Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0399, a specialization of Botany/Plant Biology (CIP 26.03), and leads most directly to the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1013).
About Botany/Plant Biology programs
Any instructional program in botany/plant biology not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Botany/Plant Biology program focuses on the study of plants and their biological processes, preparing students for various careers in biological and biomedical sciences. This program is ideal for those interested in understanding plant life, ecology, and the environment, as well as those looking to contribute to agricultural and conservation efforts.
Students in this program gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific methods. Coursework typically covers topics such as biology, chemistry, and soil management, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to address real-world environmental challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Botany/Plant Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree20 graduates / yr · 3 institutions33%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship20 graduates / yr · 4 institutions33%
- Bachelor's degree9 graduates / yr · 1 institution15%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.8%
- Associate's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.8%
Graduates over time
Botany/Plant Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 37 |
| 2013 | 40 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 49 |
| 2020 | 56 |
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2022 | 56 |
| 2023 | 59 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 61 |
Top 5 institutions for Botany/Plant Biology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 95% | $14,799 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 85% | — |
| 3 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 59% | — |
| 4 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 8 | 94% | $14,126 |
| 5 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 70% | — |
Offered in 5 states
Where Botany/Plant Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Botany/Plant Biology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1 | 18 | Northwestern University18 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 16 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities16 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 12 | Utah State University12 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 8 | Washington University in St Louis8 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 7 | Oregon State University7 / yr |
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 as soil and plant scientists, with a job outlook that is faster than average, projecting 1,700 annual openings and a median wage of $71,410. A typical educational requirement for these roles is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0399
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Soil and Plant Scientistsprimary SOC 19-1013 | $78,850 | +5.4% Faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Botany/Plant Biology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Botany/Plant Biology specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Botany/Plant Biology (CIP 26.03).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree, Bachelor's degree, or an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get?+
You can work as a soil and plant scientist, natural sciences manager, or biological science teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with an expected growth of 5.4% and about 1,700 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Botany/Plant Biology?+
Botany/Plant Biology is CIP 26.0399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Botany/Plant Biology (CIP 26.03). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in botany/plant biology not listed above.
How many institutions offer Botany/Plant Biology programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Botany/Plant Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 61 credentials in the year. That is 7.6% of all Botany/Plant Biology graduates.
How much do Botany/Plant Biology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Soil and Plant Scientists occupation, which Botany/Plant Biology most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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