Best institutions to study Plant Physiology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of plant internal dynamics and systems, plant-environment interaction, and plant life cycles and processes.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 7 Plant Physiology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0307, 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 Plant Physiology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of plant internal dynamics and systems, plant-environment interaction, and plant life cycles and processes. Includes instruction in cell and molecular biology; plant nutrition; plant respiration; plant growth, behavior, and reproduction; photosynthesis; plant systemics; and ecology.
See also: 01.1101 - Plant Sciences, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Plant Physiology program, a specialization within Botany/Plant Biology, delves into the scientific study of plant dynamics, interactions with the environment, and life cycles. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the biological processes that govern plant growth, behavior, and reproduction, as well as their ecological roles.
Students in this program will gain core knowledge in cell and molecular biology, plant nutrition, photosynthesis, and ecology. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking and scientific inquiry, equipping students with essential skills in reading comprehension, writing, and active learning.
Credentials awarded
What Plant Physiology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions86%
- Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution14%
Graduates over time
Plant Physiology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 7 |
Top 2 institutions for Plant Physiology, 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 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 84% | — | — |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 75% | — | $34,442 |
* 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 2 states
Where Plant Physiology graduates come from. Each state links to all Botany/Plant Biology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 4 | Texas A&M University - College Station4 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 3 | Iowa State University3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Plant Physiology program can pursue careers as Soil and Plant Scientists, with a median wage of $71,410. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 5.4% and approximately 1,700 annual openings, making it a favorable field for those with a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0307
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 Plant Physiology 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 or a Doctor's degree in Plant Physiology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, active learning, and communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Soil and Plant Scientist, Natural Sciences Manager, or Biological Science Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.4% and about 1,700 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Plant Physiology?+
Plant Physiology is CIP 26.0307 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 plant internal dynamics and systems, plant-environment interaction, and plant life cycles and processes. Includes instruction in cell and molecular biology; plant nutrition; plant respiration; plant growth, behavior, and reproduction; photosynthesis; plant systemics; and ecology.
How many institutions offer Plant Physiology programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Plant Physiology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 7 credentials in the year. That is 0.9% of all Botany/Plant Biology graduates.
How much do Plant Physiology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Soil and Plant Scientists occupation, which Plant Physiology 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 $34,442 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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