Best colleges for Plant Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Plant Sciences by graduate earnings are California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($63,129), California State University - Fresno ($60,443) and South Dakota State University ($58,787), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $63,129, 76 graduates a year
- California State University - Fresno (Fresno, CA): $60,443, 72 graduates a year
- South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD): $58,787, 55 graduates a year
- Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS): $50,115, 98 graduates a year
- Iowa State University (Ames, IA): $49,393, 134 graduates a year
Compare 132 U.S. colleges offering Plant Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Plant Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,873 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.11 and the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Plant Sciences programs
The Plant Sciences program focuses on the study of plants, their growth, reproduction, and evolution, encompassing a wide range of topics within agricultural, animal, and veterinary sciences. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding plant biology and its applications in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental management.
Students in the Plant Sciences program will gain core skills in biology, chemistry, and environmental science, alongside practical knowledge in areas such as agronomy, horticultural science, and plant protection. Coursework may include topics like plant breeding, soil management, and pest management.
Top 25 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 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,129 | 76 | 86% | — | $16,666 |
| 2 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,443 | 72 | 57% | — | $13,000 |
| 3 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,787 | 55 | 62% | — | $23,125 |
| 4 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,115 | 98 | 71% | — | $21,905 |
| 5 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,393 | 134 | 75% | — | $20,500 |
| 6 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,048 | 32 | 64% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,716 | 99 | 67% | — | $21,875 |
| 8 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,531 | 23 | 60% | — | $17,539 |
| 9 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,627 | 52 | 75% | — | $17,983 |
| 10 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,395 | 40 | 87% | — | $21,724 |
| 11 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,152 | 36 | 68% | — | $13,500 |
| 12 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,994 | 27 | 67% | — | $20,311 |
| 13 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,411 | 56 | 85% | — | $15,750 |
| 14 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,163 | 54 | 84% | — | $21,654 |
| 15 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,559 | 27 | 57% | — | — |
| 16 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,944 | 36 | 63% | — | $15,000 |
| 17 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,873 | 59 | 86% | — | — |
| 18 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,861 | 62 | 86% | — | $20,687 |
| 19 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,712 | 53 | 88% | — | $16,105 |
| 20 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,008 | 111 | 85% | — | $22,156 |
| 21 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,794 | 61 | 90% | — | — |
| 22 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,355 | 74 | 74% | — | $22,564 |
| 23 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,362 | 25 | 81% | — | $24,336 |
| 24 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,024 | 100 | 82% | — | $20,500 |
| 25 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,397 | 111 | 70% | — | $25,096 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE Public · Associate degree Small program | $49,481 | 11 | 56% | — | — |
Specializations within Plant Sciences
7 of the 7 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.11 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Agronomy and Crop ScienceCIP 01.11021,367 graduates / yr65 institutions30 states
- Horticultural ScienceCIP 01.1103875 graduates / yr49 institutions33 states
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1101753 graduates / yr43 institutions28 states
- Plant Protection and Integrated Pest ManagementCIP 01.1105196 graduates / yr17 institutions9 states
- Range Science and ManagementCIP 01.1106137 graduates / yr19 institutions10 states
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1199partial data104 graduates / yr7 institutions7 states
- Agricultural and Horticultural Plant BreedingCIP 01.1104partial data42 graduates / yr6 institutions6 states
Offered across 47 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Plant Sciences program can pursue a variety of careers in agriculture, research, and environmental management. The job outlook for this field is faster than average, with an estimated 1,700 annual openings and a median wage of $71,410, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Plant Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.11.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.11 (Plant Sciences) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9013 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers |
| 19-1011 | Animal Scientists |
| 19-1013 | Soil and Plant Scientistsprimary |
| 19-1031 | Conservation Scientists |
| 19-4012 | Agricultural Technicians |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1043 | Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educators |
| 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Plant Sciences 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 the focus of the Plant Sciences program?+
The program focuses on the study of plant growth, reproduction, and evolution, as well as their applications in agriculture and environmental management.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in reading comprehension, scientific analysis, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Plant Sciences?+
Graduates can work in agriculture, research, environmental management, and related fields.
What is the job outlook for Plant Sciences graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with approximately 1,700 annual openings and a median wage of $71,410.
How much do Plant Sciences graduates earn?+
Plant Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,873, 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 Plant Sciences?+
Plant Sciences maps to CIP 01.11 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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