Compare 18 Plant Sciences. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $49,223.
With top graduates earning $58,493, Plant Sciences stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $9K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Northwest Missouri State University's Plant Sciences program leads with graduates earning $58,493, closely followed by South Dakota State at $58,296. The average across 18 Midwest programs is $49,223, but these regional publics demonstrate that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall institutional reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 7.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, University of Minnesota-Crookston leads with a 14.1% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $58,493
Strong outcomes with 86% acceptance
7.9% payment burden | Excellent
14.1% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $58,493 | 21 | $21,500 | Good | $15,803 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $58,296 | 43 | $23,250 | Good | $18,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $56,370 | 23 | $21,500 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $56,340 | 37 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $54,901 | 17 | $20,500 | Good | $11,092 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $52,883 | 31 | $21,977 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $52,809 | 55 | $21,000 | Good | $25,798 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $50,545 | 133 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | High |
| #9 | $49,601 | 28 | $20,500 | Good | $32,529 | High | |
| #10 | $49,073 | 27 | $20,500 | Good | $14,500 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $49,048 | 13 | $23,199 | Manageable | $14,621 | Challenging | |
| #12 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $47,890 | 71 | $21,250 | Good | $27,283 | High |
| #13 | $46,262 | 40 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | High | |
| #14 | $42,478 | 24 | $19,500 | Manageable | $25,729 | High | |
| #15 | $42,268 | 35 | $23,250 | Manageable | $37,401 | High | |
| #16 | Chadron State CollegePublic | $42,012 | 23 | $18,875 | Manageable | $10,035 | Challenging |
| #17 | $40,554 | 27 | $21,992 | Manageable | $15,092 | High | |
| #18 | $36,197 | 23 | $20,484 | Challenging | $28,364 | 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
