Best colleges for Soil Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Soil Sciences by graduate earnings are The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ($55,322), Michigan State University ($50,770) and Colorado State University - Fort Collins ($46,287), 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%.
- The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Knoxville, TN): $55,322, 25 graduates a year
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI): $50,770, 39 graduates a year
- Colorado State University - Fort Collins (Fort Collins, CO): $46,287, 27 graduates a year
- Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK): $43,421, 30 graduates a year
Compare 33 U.S. colleges offering Soil Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 27 states.
Soil Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $50,770 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 01.12 and the Soil and Plant Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Soil Sciences programs
The Soil Sciences program focuses on the study of soil as it relates to agricultural production, environmental health, and land management. This program is ideal for students interested in the science behind food and fiber production, as well as those looking to address soil-related challenges in agriculture and forestry. Students will explore various aspects of soil, including its chemistry, physics, and microbiology. As a branch of agricultural science, Soil Sciences encompasses specializations such as Soil Chemistry and Physics, Soil Microbiology, and general Soil Science and Agronomy. This program prepares students for a career in a vital field that supports sustainable agricultural practices and environmental stewardship.
In the Soil Sciences program, students will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. Coursework often includes biology, chemistry, and mathematics, equipping students with the knowledge needed to analyze soil conditions and develop effective management practices.
Top 6 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 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,322 | 25 | 74% | — | $23,149 |
| 2 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,770 | 39 | 81% | — | $21,859 |
| 3 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,287 | 27 | 67% | — | $21,750 |
| 4 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,421 | 30 | 68% | — | — |
| 5 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $55,076 | 7 | 62% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $50,046 | 19 | 51% | — | $22,989 |
Specializations within Soil Sciences
3 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 01.12 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Soil Science and AgronomyCIP 01.1201367 graduates / yr28 institutions24 states
- Soil SciencesCIP 01.1299partial data52 graduates / yr6 institutions6 states
- Soil Chemistry and PhysicsCIP 01.1202limited data25 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 4 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Soil Microbiology01.1203
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 27 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 3 | $55,322 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | $55,076 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | $50,770 | Michigan State University |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | $50,046 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | $46,287 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | $43,421 | Oklahoma State University |
| Californialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 2 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wyominglimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1013, Soil and Plant Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Soil Sciences program can expect a favorable job outlook, with a projected growth rate of 5.4% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. Typical careers in this field require a Bachelor's degree, and the median wage for professionals is around $71,410, reflecting the importance of soil management in agriculture and environmental conservation.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Soil Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 01.12.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 01.12 (Soil Sciences) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-1013 | Soil and Plant Scientistsprimary |
| 19-1022 | Microbiologists |
| 19-4012 | Agricultural Technicians |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Soil 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 can I do with a degree in Soil Sciences?+
Graduates can pursue careers in agriculture, environmental consulting, research, and land management.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, scientific analysis, and effective communication.
What specializations are available in Soil Sciences?+
Specializations include Soil Chemistry and Physics, Soil Microbiology, and general Soil Science and Agronomy.
What is the job outlook for Soil Sciences graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5.4% and about 1,700 annual job openings.
How much do Soil Sciences graduates earn?+
Soil Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $50,770, 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 Soil Sciences?+
Soil Sciences maps to CIP 01.12 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card