Compare 54 Plant Sciences. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $52,905. Top programs: $82,487+.
The highest-earning Plant Sciences program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $57K earnings gap across 54 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. A regional Cal State campus outperforms schools with far more name recognition — and the numbers prove it.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo leads all 54 programs, with Plant Sciences graduates earning $82,487 — well above the $52,905 field average. Close behind, South Dakota State University delivers $78,494 and admits 98% of applicants, while Cal State Fresno rounds out the top three at $77,034. None of these are household names in prestige rankings. All three beat institutions far more recognizable.
For students borrowing on their own, UC Davis stands out: $13,000 in student debt produces just a 3.6% payment burden — firmly 'Excellent' by GPS standards. For families factoring in parent loans, Cal State Fresno leads: combined family debt of $26,555 translates to a 7.1% family burden, also rated 'Excellent.' That's a school with a $5,105 net price delivering top-three earnings. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $82,487
Strong outcomes ($78,494) with 98% acceptance rate
3.6% payment burden | Excellent
7.1% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $82,487 | 49 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $78,494 | 36 | $23,250 | Excellent | $18,000 | Good | |
| #3 | $77,034 | 63 | $14,505 | Excellent | $12,050 | Excellent | |
| #4 | $72,335 | 26 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #5 | $68,629 | 15 | $16,552 | Excellent | $17,585 | Good | |
| #6 | $66,714 | 23 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Good | |
| #7 | $66,513 | 52 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $63,279 | 30 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $62,957 | 33 | $20,500 | Excellent | $32,529 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $61,946 | 51 | $21,000 | Excellent | $25,798 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $61,587 | 38 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $61,397 | 23 | $20,500 | Excellent | $11,000 | Good | |
| #13 | $61,085 | 36 | $21,977 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #14 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $60,997 | 89 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #15 | $59,732 | 27 | $20,500 | Excellent | $14,500 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $59,240 | 13 | $20,500 | Excellent | $11,092 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $58,960 | 25 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Challenging |
| #18 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $58,603 | 43 | $21,250 | Good | $27,283 | Challenging |
| #19 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $57,950 | 62 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | Challenging |
| #20 | $56,812 | 25 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $56,630 | 46 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #22 | $56,415 | 20 | — | — | — | — | |
| #23 | $56,265 | 27 | $21,500 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Chadron State CollegePublic | $53,484 | 28 | $18,875 | Good | $10,035 | Manageable |
| #25 | University Of FloridaPublic | $53,270 | 64 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
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 →
