Compare 15 Plant Sciences. programs in the South. Average earnings: $41,507.
The highest-earning Plant Sciences program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $18K earnings gap across 15 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Auburn University's Plant Sciences program leads with graduates earning $48,747, followed closely by West Texas A&M at $48,432. The average across all programs is $41,507, showing how Auburn and West Texas A&M—both regional publics—deliver outcomes that would surprise prestige-focused students.
For families, the math changes significantly. West Texas A&M offers a 10.3% student burden, but when parent loans are included, it still leads with an 18.1% family burden. Auburn graduates face higher family debt burdens at 37.3%, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $48,747 | 57 | $21,000 | Good | $43,605 | High |
| #2 | $48,432 | 53 | $19,500 | Good | $12,719 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $45,554 | 54 | $20,121 | Manageable | $23,000 | High | |
| #4 | $45,166 | 52 | $21,500 | Manageable | $35,325 | High | |
| #5 | $45,163 | 45 | $17,804 | Good | $32,258 | High | |
| #6 | $44,756 | 33 | $20,500 | Manageable | $11,000 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $44,479 | 35 | $22,142 | Manageable | $25,567 | High | |
| #8 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $42,933 | 11 | $21,500 | Manageable | $35,463 | High |
| #9 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $40,794 | 18 | $18,500 | Manageable | $20,855 | High |
| #10 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $39,729 | 6 | $22,500 | Manageable | $30,006 | High |
| #11 | University Of DelawarePublic | $39,362 | 15 | $24,572 | Challenging | $43,000 | High |
| #12 | $36,206 | 15 | $20,000 | Challenging | $14,229 | High | |
| #13 | University Of FloridaPublic | $35,900 | 67 | $15,000 | Manageable | $18,837 | High |
| #14 | $34,281 | 32 | $20,500 | Challenging | $30,610 | High | |
| #15 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | $31,108 | 26 | $22,500 | High | $32,980 | 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 →
