Best institutions to study Soil Sciences
Compare 33 U.S. colleges offering Soil Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 27 states.
Soil Sciences programs report a median of $50,770 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | 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 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,076 | 7 | 62% | — | — |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,770 | 39 | 81% | — | $21,859 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,046 | 19 | 51% | — | $22,989 |
| 5 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,287 | 27 | 67% | — | $21,750 |
| 6 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,421 | 30 | 68% | — | — |
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 - Main Campus |
| 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.
Concentrations within Soil Sciences
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Soil Science and Agronomy, GeneralCIP 01.1201
A program that generally focuses on the scientific classification of soils, soil properties, and their relationship to agricultural crops
- Soil Chemistry and PhysicsCIP 01.1202
A program that focuses on the application of chemical and physical principles to research and analysis concerning the nature and properties of soils and the conservation and management of soils
- Soil MicrobiologyCIP 01.1203
A program that focuses on application of microbiological theory and methods to the study of the organismic properties of soils, soil-plant and soil-animal interactions, and the biological components a
- Soil Sciences, OtherCIP 01.1299
Any instructional program in the soil sciences not listed above.
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 of $50,770 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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.
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