Best institutions to study Botany/Plant Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of plants, related microbial organisms, and plant habitats and ecosystem relations.
39 U.S. institutions graduated 543 Botany/Plant Biology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0301, 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
A program that focuses on the scientific study of plants, related microbial organisms, and plant habitats and ecosystem relations. Includes instruction in plant anatomy and structure, phytochemistry, cytology, plant genetics, plant morphology and physiology, plant ecology, plant taxonomy and systematics, paleobotany, and applications of biophysics and molecular biology.
See also: 01.1101 - Plant Sciences, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Botany/Plant Biology program focuses on the scientific study of plants, their habitats, and related microbial organisms. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding plant anatomy, ecology, genetics, and the relationships within ecosystems. It prepares graduates for a variety of careers in biological and biomedical sciences.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in plant anatomy, phytochemistry, plant morphology, and ecology. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, scientific methods, and practical skills in research and communication, equipping students for various roles in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Botany/Plant Biology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree337 graduates / yr · 29 institutions62%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship113 graduates / yr · 21 institutions21%
- Master's degree77 graduates / yr · 23 institutions14%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.9%
Graduates over time
Botany/Plant Biology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 395 |
| 2013 | 372 |
| 2014 | 421 |
| 2015 | 398 |
| 2016 | 415 |
| 2017 | 429 |
| 2018 | 434 |
| 2019 | 434 |
| 2020 | 468 |
| 2021 | 437 |
| 2022 | 435 |
| 2023 | 503 |
| 2024 | 516 |
| 2025 | 543 |
Top 39 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 48 | 70% | — | — |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster's | 44 | 85% | — | $33,009 |
| 3 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 37 | 59% | — | — |
| 4 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 31 | 93% | — | — |
| 5 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CAPublicBachelor's | 25 | 49% | — | $30,713 |
| 6 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 76% | — | — |
| 7 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 23 | 86% | — | — |
| 8 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 83% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 64% | — | — |
| 10 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 20 | 65% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 79% | — | — |
| 12 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 67% | — | — |
| 13 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 46% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 17 | 90% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 91% | — | — |
| 16 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 81% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 90% | — | — |
| 18 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 80% | — | — |
| 19 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 62% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 55% | — | — |
| 21 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 84% | — | — |
| 22 | Connecticut College New London, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 82% | $27,183 | — |
| 23 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 75% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 7 | 67% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 85% | — | — |
| 26 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 27 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicDoctoral | 6 | 89% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 59% | — | — |
| 29 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor's | 5 | 45% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 83% | — | — |
| 31 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 60% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicDoctoral | 3 | 85% | — | — |
| 33 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 34 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster's | 2 | 68% | — | — |
| 35 | Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | — | — | — |
| 36 | Fort Lewis College Durango, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 36% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 93% | — | — |
| 38 | Western New Mexico University Silver City, NMPublicBachelor's | 2 | 32% | — | — |
| 39 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 1 | 64% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Botany/Plant Biology field (CIP 26.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 27 states
Where Botany/Plant Biology graduates come from. Each state links to all Botany/Plant Biology programs offered there.
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 faster-than-average job outlook of 5.4% growth and about 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $71,410, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0301
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 Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Botany/Plant Biology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, scientific research, communication, and problem-solving.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Soil and Plant Scientist, Natural Sciences Manager, or Biological Science Teacher, among others.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 5.4% and approximately 1,700 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Botany/Plant Biology?+
Botany/Plant Biology is CIP 26.0301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Botany/Plant Biology (CIP 26.03). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of plants, related microbial organisms, and plant habitats and ecosystem relations. Includes instruction in plant anatomy and structure, phytochemistry, cytology, plant genetics, plant morphology and physiology, plant ecology, plant taxonomy and systematics, paleobotany, and applications of biophysics and molecular biology.
How many institutions offer Botany/Plant Biology programs?+
39 U.S. institutions reported Botany/Plant Biology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 27 states, awarding 543 credentials in the year. That is 67.9% 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), and graduates of the broader Botany/Plant Biology field report median earnings of $33,009 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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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