Compare 14 Plant Sciences. programs in the West. Average earnings: $47,107.
The highest-earning Plant Sciences program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $44K earnings gap across 14 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
California State University-Fresno's Plant Sciences program leads with graduates earning $70,421, far above the $47,107 regional average. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo follows at $64,619, while Washington State University rounds out the top three at $56,415—proving regional publics dominate this field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cal State Fresno graduates borrow $14,505 and face just a 4.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21.
Highest program earnings: $70,421
Strong outcomes with 96% acceptance
4.2% payment burden | Excellent
8.1% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $70,421 | 69 | $14,505 | Excellent | $12,050 | Good | |
| #2 | $64,619 | 65 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $56,415 | 33 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Challenging | |
| #4 | University Of IdahoPublic | $51,811 | 25 | $21,982 | Good | $21,162 | Challenging |
| #5 | Utah State UniversityPublic | $50,220 | 38 | $14,340 | Excellent | $13,923 | Manageable |
| #6 | University Of WyomingPublic | $49,935 | 27 | $18,000 | Good | $16,000 | Challenging |
| #7 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $44,549 | 53 | $21,221 | Manageable | $28,923 | High |
| #8 | $43,825 | 45 | $16,000 | Good | $15,000 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $42,222 | 20 | $17,095 | Good | $10,166 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $41,526 | 56 | $20,000 | Manageable | $36,000 | High | |
| #11 | Montana State UniversityPublic | $40,825 | 21 | $22,500 | Manageable | $25,000 | High |
| #12 | $39,927 | 8 | $18,000 | Manageable | $18,257 | High | |
| #13 | $36,852 | 29 | $13,000 | Manageable | $25,733 | High | |
| #14 | $26,353 | 13 | $16,666 | High | $28,682 | 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 →
