Compare 5 Plant Physiology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $46,783. Top programs: $60,715+.
With top graduates earning $61K, Plant Physiology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 5 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not brand recognition.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh leads with Plant Physiology graduates earning $60,715—well above the $46,783 average across all ranked programs. Purdue University's program isn't far behind at $57,530, demonstrating that strong outcomes in this field come from focused program investment at public research universities, not from chasing the most selective admissions.
High earnings only matter if debt doesn't consume them. NC State graduates borrow $20,121 in student loans and face just a 7.2% payment burden—landing squarely in the 'Excellent' tier, where loan payments take a minimal bite out of post-grad income. For families factoring in parent loans, NC State again leads: a 16.7% family burden keeps it in the 'Manageable' range. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $60,715
Strong outcomes ($42,743) with 98% acceptance
7.2% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
16.7% family burden | Manageable — payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $60,715 | 26 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $57,530 | 14 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $50,963 | 9 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | High | |
| #4 | $42,743 | 37 | $18,000 | Manageable | $18,257 | High | |
| #5 | $21,964 | 12 | $21,056 | High | $23,508 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
