Compare 7 Plant Sciences. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $38,224.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Plant Sciences tells a different story. Across 7 programs, earnings range from $21,964 to $49,226—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Delaware Valley University's Plant Sciences program leads with graduates earning $49,226, well above the $38,224 average. Penn State follows at $44,091, while even Cornell—despite its 8% admission rate—produces graduates earning $40,438. The data confirms: program outcomes don't follow prestige hierarchies.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 10.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Delaware Valley leads in earnings but with a 12.9% burden, proving the best choice depends on your financial priorities.
Highest program earnings: $49,226
Strong outcomes with 92% acceptance
10.7% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
34.2% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Delaware Valley UniversityPrivate | $49,226 | 8 | $25,000 | Manageable | $52,335 | High |
| #2 | $44,091 | 32 | $25,000 | Manageable | $38,368 | High | |
| #3 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $40,438 | 28 | $14,000 | Good | $38,000 | High |
| #4 | $38,318 | 21 | $16,023 | Manageable | $20,160 | High | |
| #5 | $37,170 | 28 | $22,763 | Challenging | $26,243 | High | |
| #6 | $36,362 | 14 | $21,500 | Challenging | $25,294 | High | |
| #7 | University Of VermontPublic | $21,964 | 21 | $20,951 | High | $48,000 | 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 →
