Best institutions to study Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management
A program that focuses on the application of scientific principles to the control of animal, insect and weed infestation of domesticated plant populations and other settings, including agricultural crops; the prevention/reduction of attendant economic loss; and the control of environmental pollution and degradation related to pest infestation and pest control measures.
17 U.S. institutions graduated 196 Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1105, a specialization of Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11), and leads most directly to the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1013).
About Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management programs
A program that focuses on the application of scientific principles to the control of animal, insect and weed infestation of domesticated plant populations and other settings, including agricultural crops; the prevention/reduction of attendant economic loss; and the control of environmental pollution and degradation related to pest infestation and pest control measures. Includes instruction in entomology, applicable animal sciences, plant pathology and physiology, weed science, crop science, and environmental toxicology.
See also: 26.0702 - Entomology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management program, part of the Plant Sciences field, focuses on the scientific principles involved in controlling pests that affect agricultural crops and other plant populations. This program is designed for students interested in addressing pest-related challenges while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and minimizing environmental impact.
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and environmental toxicology. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication, equipping graduates to tackle various challenges in pest management and plant protection.
Credentials awarded
What Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree108 graduates / yr · 4 institutions55%
- Master's degree46 graduates / yr · 6 institutions24%
- Associate's degree15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions7.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions5.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 5 institutions3.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year6 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks5 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
Graduates over time
Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 84 |
| 2013 | 80 |
| 2014 | 82 |
| 2015 | 87 |
| 2016 | 104 |
| 2017 | 168 |
| 2018 | 174 |
| 2019 | 161 |
| 2020 | 172 |
| 2021 | 176 |
| 2022 | 154 |
| 2023 | 159 |
| 2024 | 166 |
| 2025 | 196 |
Top 17 institutions for Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management, 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 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 72 | 57% | — | $60,443 |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicBachelor's | 35 | 68% | — | $46,152 |
| 3 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 67% | — | $36,980 |
| 4 | Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner, MAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 24% | — | — |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 74% | — | $40,355 |
| 6 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 9 | 88% | — | $42,712 |
| 7 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 9 | 49% | — | $30,053 |
| 8 | Triton College River Grove, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 5 | 29% | — | — |
| 9 | Clark State College Springfield, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 22% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster's | 3 | 90% | — | $40,794 |
| 11 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 45% | — | — |
| 12 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 23% | — | — |
| 13 | Mississippi Delta Community College Moorhead, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 31% | — | — |
| 14 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 21% | — | — |
| 15 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 45% | — | — |
| 16 | Ventura College Ventura, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 38% | — | — |
| 17 | Coalinga College Coalinga, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 43% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Plant Sciences field (CIP 01.11) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 9 states & territories
Where Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Plant Sciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 8 | 115 | California State University - Fresno72 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 23 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins23 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 13 | Ohio State University - Main Campus9 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 13 | Mount Wachusett Community College13 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 13 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville13 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 9 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez9 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 5 | Triton College5 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 3 | University of Georgia3 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 2 | Mississippi Delta Community College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Soil and Plant Scientists, with a job outlook that is faster than average, projecting 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is $71,410, and a typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1105
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 |
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers SOC 11-9013 | $89,900 | -1.3% Decline | ~85,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Farm and Home Management Educators SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1041 | $98,700 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~800 | Doctoral or professional 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 Protection and Integrated Pest Management 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 Plant Sciences specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11).
- Agronomy and Crop ScienceCIP 01.11021,367 graduates / yr65 institutions
- Horticultural ScienceCIP 01.1103875 graduates / yr49 institutions
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1101753 graduates / yr43 institutions
- Range Science and ManagementCIP 01.1106137 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Plant SciencesCIP 01.1199partial data104 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Agricultural and Horticultural Plant BreedingCIP 01.1104partial data42 graduates / yr6 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, or Doctor's degree in Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, communication, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Soil and Plant Scientist or in various agricultural management roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with approximately 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management?+
Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management is CIP 01.1105 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Plant Sciences (CIP 01.11). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of scientific principles to the control of animal, insect and weed infestation of domesticated plant populations and other settings, including agricultural crops; the prevention/reduction of attendant economic loss; and the control of environmental pollution and degradation related to pest infestation and pest control measures. Includes instruction in entomology, applicable animal sciences, plant pathology and physiology, weed science, crop science, and environmental toxicology.
How many institutions offer Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management programs?+
17 U.S. institutions reported Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states & territories, awarding 196 credentials in the year. That is 5.6% of all Plant Sciences graduates.
How much do Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Soil and Plant Scientists occupation, which Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Plant Sciences field report median earnings of $40,794 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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